The Karlštejn–Beroun Railway Line

The project to upgrade the railway line between Karlštejn and Beroun was officially completed at the end of 2025. The result is a line with significantly greater capacity and improved safety. Passengers can now look forward to faster and more comfortable connections between Prague and western Bohemia.

At the same time, the modernization represents an important step toward the future Beroun Tunnel, where long-distance trains will travel at speeds of up to 200 km/h. The Karlštejn–Beroun line is thus entering a new era—faster, safer, and ready for further development of rail transport.

Unique 160 mm superelevation

The reconstruction of the approximately 7-kilometer section, carried out by SWIETELSKY Rail CZ as part of a consortium, began in October 2023 and was successfully completed a full six months ahead of schedule. Furthermore, construction proceeded without a complete interruption of service; trains always ran on at least one track.

The project included a complete renewal of both the track superstructure and substructure, reconstruction of bridges and culverts, and rock stabilization. The Srbsko station received a modern platform with barrier-free access, new shelters, and an information system. Additionally, a new switching yard was built in the middle of the section, which will increase the line’s capacity and ensure regular service.

The construction has been modernized to the highest standard. For example, a unique 160 mm cant is used here for the first time in the Czech Republic—in curves, the outer rail is raised by 160 mm relative to the inner rail, which enhances safety and ride comfort. The 160 mm cant is the maximum permitted cant according to Czech standards.

Construction Site Tour: AHM 800 R

On the construction site, we utilized the most modern machinery lines from the SWIETELSKY Group, which represent the best that European railway technology has to offer today. For example, our technological giant, the AHM 800 R, was deployed for the project.

This 377-ton colossus played a key role here in the rehabilitation of the railway substructure. Thanks to technology that does not require the removal of the track grid, it was possible to significantly shorten the time needed to complete the work while minimizing service disruptions. This is exactly what a modern approach to track reconstruction looks like today: fast, efficient, and making maximum use of cutting-edge technology.

This precision work and technological sophistication attract the attention of experts and laypeople alike. This time, third- and fourth-year students majoring in transportation engineering at the Dušní Secondary Technical School had a unique opportunity to see the machine in full action. For future civil engineers, it was a powerful experience and, above all, a valuable lesson. Seeing cutting-edge technology in the field is something no textbook can replace. Some things simply need to be seen with your own eyes.

And what exactly can the AHM 800 R handle? In a single pass, the AHM 800 R can perform several key tasks: recycle the ballast bed, excavate subgrade material, install protective base layers of sand and gravel-sand, and lay geotextile.
Compared to conventional construction methods, this saves up to 75% of the time. The result is shorter closures, faster progress, and the ability to maintain operations on the adjacent track. This is exactly what efficient railway modernization looks like in practice.