Pesa 620M is a

broad-gauge A broad-gauge railway is a railway with a track gauge (the distance between the rails) broader than the used by standard-gauge railways. Broad gauge of , more known as Russian gauge, is the dominant track gauge in former Soviet Union countries ...

diesel Diesel may refer to: * Diesel engine, an internal combustion engine where ignition is caused by compression * Diesel fuel, a liquid fuel used in diesel engines * Diesel locomotive, a railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine ...

railcar produced since 2004 by Pesa for the

Lithuanian Railways LTG Group, officially Lietuvos geležinkeliai ('), known as LTG is the national state-owned railway company of Lithuania. It operates most of the railway network in the country. It has several subsidiary companies, but the main ones are: LTG ...

(12 units) and

Ukrainian Railways The Public JSC Ukrainian Railways or PAT 'Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ)' () is a state-owned joint-stock company administering railway infrastructure and rail transport in Ukraine; a monopoly that controls the vast majority of the railroad transporta ...

(11 units), and since 2011, in cooperation with

Belkommunmash OJSC "Holding Management Company "Belkommunmash" (, Belkamunmash), is a Belarusian manufacturer of electric public transport vehicles. The enterprise was based on a tram and trolleybus repair facility which was opened in 1973. Today it is the lead ...

, also for the

Belarusian Railway Belarusian Railway (BCh) ( () / ''Biełaruskaja čyhunka'', ) is the national state-owned railway company of Belarus. It operates all of the rail transport network in Belarus. As of 2005, the railway employs 112,173 people. Overview The compa ...

(6 units). A total of 29 units were produced.

History

After introducing the 214M ''Partner'' diesel railcars to the Polish market in 2001, Pesa decided to produce similar vehicles for broad-gauge railways. The first units were purchased by

. In 2004, the 620M-001 was showcased at the InnoTrans trade fair in

Berlin Berlin ( ; ) is the Capital of Germany, capital and largest city of Germany, by both area and List of cities in Germany by population, population. With 3.7 million inhabitants, it has the List of cities in the European Union by population withi ...

, and deliveries to the customer began. In addition to the 620M vehicles, a related motorized inspection car, the 610M, was also delivered to Ukraine. Subsequent orders for the 620M came from Lithuania and Belarus. The Belarusian vehicles were produced in collaboration with

Minsk Minsk (, ; , ) is the capital and largest city of Belarus, located on the Svislach (Berezina), Svislach and the now subterranean Nyamiha, Niamiha rivers. As the capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the administra ...

, which was responsible for tasks such as interior outfitting. Following the experience with the 620M, railways in Ukraine and Lithuania decided to also order a more spacious, two-car version of these vehicles – the

Pesa 630M Pesa 630M is a two-car, broad-gauge diesel multiple unit produced by Pesa. Six units are currently in service, operated by Ukrainian Railways (2 units), Kazakhstan Temir Joly (1 unit), and Lithuanian Railways (3 units). History After several ye ...

. File:SA106 Legnica Piekary.jpg, 214M File:Автомотрисса 610M-001 1.jpg, 610M File:Railcar-PESA-620M-Vilnius2009-1.jpg, 620M File:Pesa 630M-001 2014 G1.jpg, 630M

Design

The 620M is a developed version of the Partner diesel railcar ( Pesa 214M). The primary differences between this model and its predecessor are its adaptation to a broader gauge (1,520 mm) and a wider loading gauge (T1 according to GOST 9238-83), which allows for a 2+3 seating arrangement in the passenger area. The vehicle's range is 1,000 km. The structural strength of the 620M meets the PN-EN 12663 (category PII) standard. The vehicles use Pesa's own 8AS type running

bogies A bogie ( ) (or truck in North American English) comprises two or more wheelsets (two wheels on an axle), in a frame, attached under a vehicle by a pivot. Bogies take various forms in various modes of transport. A bogie may remain normally ...

and 3MSb powered bogies. The suspension system features two levels of springing, comprising coil springs and air cushions. The bogies can accommodate wheelsets for both 1,520 mm and 1,435 mm track gauges, allowing the 620M to travel independently across Polish territory. The railcars can operate in

multiple unit A multiple-unit train (or multiple unit (MU)) is a self-propelled train composed of one or more Coach (rail), carriages joined, and where one or more of the carriages have the means of propulsion built in. By contrast, a locomotive-hauled ...

configurations (up to three vehicles). The interior of the vehicles is fully air-conditioned and equipped with monitoring systems. A multifunctional space is located near one of the entrances.

Operations

Ukraine

The diesel vehicles used in passenger service on Ukrainian railways, produced by Ganz-MÁVAG (D and D1 series) and RVR in

Riga Riga ( ) is the capital, Primate city, primate, and List of cities and towns in Latvia, largest city of Latvia. Home to 591,882 inhabitants (as of 2025), the city accounts for a third of Latvia's total population. The population of Riga Planni ...

(DR1 series), were significantly worn out. Ukrainian Railways initially planned to order diesel railcars from the Czech company Vagonka Studénka. However, due to financial difficulties, they decided to place an order with Pesa in Bydgoszcz. Deliveries began in 2004, with the first vehicles being an inspection railcar (610M) for the Ukrainian Railways' management and the first 620M railcars for regular passenger services. Originally, the order consisted of four diesel railcars intended for use on lightly trafficked routes. Positive experiences with these vehicles led Ukrainian Railways to order additional units, which were allocated to the Southern and Lviv Railways. In total, ten 620M railcars were delivered to Ukraine between 2004 and 2009. In October 2012, a new unit (620M-025) was delivered to

Crimea Crimea ( ) is a peninsula in Eastern Europe, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov. The Isthmus of Perekop connects the peninsula to Kherson Oblast in mainland Ukrain ...

. This vehicle, painted in colors reflecting the flag of the

Autonomous Republic of Crimea The Autonomous Republic of Crimea is a ''de jure'' administrative division of Ukraine encompassing most of Crimea that was unilaterally annexed by Russia in 2014. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea occupies most of the peninsula, was officially launched on October 26 at the

Simferopol railway station Simferopol-Pasazhirsky (, ,) is a railway station in Simferopol, Crimea, a territory recognized by a majority of countries as part of Ukraine, but ''de facto'' occupied by Russia. The station building, designed by a Soviet-Russian architect Al ...

. The 620M-025 was purchased to service routes between

Dzhankoi Dzhankoi or Jankoy is a city of regional significance in the northern part of Crimea, internationally recognized as part of Ukraine, but since 2014 occupied by Russia. It also serves as administrative centre of Dzhankoi Raion although it is not a ...

Armiansk Armiansk ( ; ; ; ) is a city of regional significance in the northern Crimean peninsula. The status of Crimea has been disputed by Ukraine and Russia since February 2014. Armiansk is located on the Isthmus of Perekop and serves as the administrat ...

, and

Feodosia Feodosia (, ''Feodosiia, Teodosiia''; , ''Feodosiya''), also called in English Theodosia (from ), is a city on the Crimean coast of the Black Sea. Feodosia serves as the administrative center of Feodosia Municipality, one of the regions into ...

. On 30 November 2018, a new connection between

Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi ( , ) is a railway station in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. The station is a railway hub consisting of several railroad station buildings, along with its own repair facilities the Kyiv Electric Railcar Repair Shop, a railway de ...

and

Boryspil International Airport The Boryspil International Airport () , also known as Kyiv Boryspil Airport, is an international airport in Boryspil, east of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. It is Ukraine's largest airport, serving 65% of its passenger air traffic, including al ...

was launched, utilizing four modernized 620M railcars to handle 27 pairs of connections. During the first few weeks of operation, the average occupancy was 30 passengers. The modernization of the sixth railcar was completed in April 2019.

Lithuania

In 2008, Lithuanian Railways placed an order for 620M railbuses to service local lines with low traffic volumes. The first railbus was officially presented in October 2008 at the

Vilnius railway station Vilnius Central Railway Station () is an LTG Link train station in Vilnius, Lithuania. The railway station situates between two neighbourhoods of Vilnius — Naujininkai and Naujamiestis — and on the edge of the Old Town. History The statio ...

. By 2009, a total of four vehicles had been delivered. On 2 October 2008, a connection serviced by the 620M between the Vilnius railway station and the

Vilnius Airport Vilnius Čiurlionis International Airport () is the international airport, airport of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. It is located south of the city center. It is the largest of the three commercial airports in Lithuania by passenger traffi ...

was launched. In 2009, the four delivered Pesa units also serviced routes from

Vilnius Vilnius ( , ) is the capital of and List of cities in Lithuania#Cities, largest city in Lithuania and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, most-populous city in the Baltic states. The city's estimated January 2025 population w ...

Šeštokai Šeštokai is a small town in southern Lithuania. Infrastructure The town is a transport hub as it hosts Šeštokai Intermodal freight transport, Intermodal Terminal and has dual gauge track as well as break-of-gauge for the Standard gauge, 143 ...

Radviliškis Radviliškis () (; ; , ''Radvilishok'') is a city in the Radviliškis district municipality, Šiauliai County, Lithuania. Radviliškis has been the administrative center of the district since 1950, and is an important railway junction. History ...

Mažeikiai Mažeikiai (; Samogitian: ''Mažeikē''; ; ) is a city in northwestern Lithuania, on the Venta River. It has a population of around 32,000, making it the eighth largest city in Lithuania and eighteenth largest city in the Baltic States. Th ...

, and

Šiauliai Šiauliai ( ; ) is a city in northern Lithuania, the List of cities in Lithuania, country's fourth largest city and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, sixth largest city in the Baltic States, with a population of 112 581 in 202 ...

Rokiškis Rokiškis () is a list of cities in Lithuania, city in northeastern Lithuania, close to the Latvia–Lithuania border, with a population of 11,606 (2023). The city is a capital of the Rokiškis District Municipality with a population of 28,715 (20 ...

. An agreement to deliver eight additional units was signed on 19 April 2010 in Vilnius. With the completion of deliveries in April 2011, there were 12 units of the 620M series in operation in Lithuania. The new railbuses allowed for the complete phasing out of the D1 series vehicles. Besides the previously mentioned routes, the 620M units also operate connections from Vilnius to ,

Kalveliai Eldership Kalveliai Eldership () is an Elderships of Lithuania, eldership in Lithuania, southeast of Vilnius District Municipality near the border with Belarus. History The history of the village of Kalveliai started in late 19th century, while Šumskas ...

Ignalina Ignalina (; ) is a city in eastern Lithuania. It is known as a tourist destination in the Aukštaitija National Park. Ignalina is also famous for the now decommissioned Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in nearby Visaginas. Legend It is said that Ign ...

, and

Marcinkonys Marcinkonys (Polish: ''Marcinkańce'') is a village in Varėna district, Lithuania, located 21 km. south-west of Varėna. It is the administrative center of the Marcinkonys Eldership and it houses the administrations of the Dzūkija National ...

, from

Kaunas Kaunas (; ) is the second-largest city in Lithuania after Vilnius, the fourth largest List of cities in the Baltic states by population, city in the Baltic States and an important centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaun ...

Marijampolė Marijampolė (; also known by Marijampolė#Names, several other names) is the Capital city, capital of Marijampolė County in the south of Lithuania, bordering Poland and Russian Kaliningrad Oblast, and Lake Vištytis. The city's population stood ...

Kybartai Kybartai is a town in Marijampolė County, Vilkaviškis District Municipality in south-western Lithuania. It is located west of Vilkaviškis and is on the border of Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia. History Kybartai was founded during the reign of ...

, Šeštokai, and

Trakai Trakai (; see Trakai#Names and etymology, names section for alternative and historic names) is a city and lake resort in Lithuania. It lies west of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania or just from the administrative limits of the Lithuanian capi ...

, and from Radviliškis to

Belarus

In 2011, Belarusian Railway placed an order for six 620M series railbuses. The production for this order was carried out in cooperation between the Polish company Pesa and the Belarusian company Belkommunmash. The first vehicle was delivered by Pesa to Minsk on 23 December 2011. From January to April 2012, technical and operational trials were conducted on the

Stowbtsy Stowbtsy (, ) or Stolbtsy (, ; ; ; ) is a town in Minsk Region, Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Stowbtsy District. It is located on the Neman River. As of 2024, it has a population of 17,737. Etymology "Stowbtsy" means "colum ...

– Haradzyeya line. The first unit was officially received by the customer from Belkommunmash on 13 April 2012. Belarusian 620M railbuses are designated as DP1 (ДП1) in the nomenclature of Belarusian Railway. The official introduction of the new series into service took place on 1 May 2012 at the Kalinkavichy railway station. The first two vehicles were assigned to economy-class routes

Kalinkavichy Kalinkavichy (; ; ) is a town in Gomel Region, southeastern Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Kalinkavichy District. Kalinkavichy is located beside the Netech' River, opposite the city of Mazyr, and is the site of one of the c ...

– Vasilyevichy– Khoiniki and Kalinkavichy–Slavhechna. On 25 August 2012, another 620M vehicle began servicing business-class routes, specifically

Orsha Orsha (; , ; ) is a city in Vitebsk Region, Belarus. It is situated on the fork of the Dnieper, Dnieper River and Arshytsa River, and it serves as the administrative center of Orsha District. As of 2025, it has a population of 101,662. History ...

–

Horki Horki or Gorki (, ; ) is a town in Mogilev Region, Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Horki District. In 2009, its population was 32,777. In 2024, it had a population of 28,961. As of 2025, it has a population of 28,626. Histo ...

and

Krychaw Krychaw or Krichev (, ; , , ) is a town in Mogilev Region, Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Krychaw District. It is situated on the Sozh River. In 2009, its population was 27,202. As of 2024, it has a population of 23,264. ...

–Orsha–Horki. The railbus for these routes is based at the locomotive depot in

Mogilev Mogilev (; , ), also transliterated as Mahilyow (, ), is a city in eastern Belarus. It is located on the Dnieper, Dnieper River, about from the Belarus–Russia border, border with Russia's Smolensk Oblast and from Bryansk Oblast. As of 2024, ...

. In 2013, Pesa signed another contract for the delivery of additional rail vehicles to Belarus, specifically three units of the 730M type.

References

{{Rolling stock of Ukraine Rolling stock of Belarus Rolling stock of Lithuania Railcars of Ukraine PESA SA