Some of the most prominent electric locomotives in Europe are the Škoda Class 47Es,
which were delivered to the Czechoslovakian State Railways in two different versions
as the S 489 and S 499. Their unique appearance is typified by their rounded cabs
and large windows. The locomotives’ bodies are made entirely of fiberglass reinforced plastic. Starting in 1968, a total of 145 copies of the S 499 were acquired by the ČSD. From 1988 onwards, the units rated with a capacity of 3,200 kW (4350hp) were renumbered in the 240 series.  Following the 1992 dissolution of Czechoslovakia, most of the locomotives remained in Slovakia with the ŽSR; which continues to use them for all types of trains. By contrast, the ČD engines can be found in freight traffic. At the beginning of the 2000s, three units were rebuilt by ČD into Class 340 multi-system locomotives and used in cross-border service to Austria.