Silver coin On Wheels - M 131.105 „Hurvínek“ proof

The M 131.1 series motor car became a simple and reliable basis for the post-war restoration of the Czechoslovak railway rolling stock. The 28th silver coin from the On Wheels series minted by the Czech Mint pays tribute to it.

After the Second World War, the Czechoslovak State Railways sought to restore operations to a state close to that of 1939. The post-war rolling stock included not only Czechoslovak machines, but also a number of other types, mainly German, which remained in our country after the leave of the occupying forces. Keeping this diverse mix in operation was no easy task, and the Ministry of Transport therefore developed a concept for unification. The renewed rolling stock was to be based, among other things, on two-axle cars with mechanical power transmission, which would ensure transport on regional railways. The development of small and light railcars was commissioned to the Tatra companyin 1946 . Tatra engineers drew on their pre-war experience and applied the knowledge gained from operating the captured German-made vehicles. The prototype of the M 131.1 series was manufactured in 1948, and serial production began in the same year. By 1956, a total of 549 units had been manufactured, making it the largest series of ČSD traction vehicles at the time. Because the ministry required the cars to be equipped with air-cooled diesel engines, a powerful twelve-cylinder Tatra T 301 engine was used, which was based on the power unit designed for Tatra 111 heavy trucks. This proven and unpretentious unit with a mechanical transmission served reliably even in severe frosts, which would otherwise have required overnight parking in a heating shed in the case of a water-cooled engine. An octagonal steel body with tapered front and rear ends was riveted to the steel frame of the vehicle. The side walls made of copper-alloyed steel sheet were corrosion-resistant and had a long service life. The body was painted wine red and the roof was silver grey. The floor was made of wooden planks, and the benches providing 48 seats were also made of wood. Perhaps it was the predominant material of the interior that earned the vehicle the nickname Hurvínek. The headlights, which resembled the bulging eyes of the popular puppet, undoubtedly contributed to this. These nimble railcars ran on practically all secondary lines in Czechoslovakia, but as they became obsolete, their role was taken over by the M 152.0 series railcars. Regular operation of the Hurvínek railcars was completely discontinued in 1984. Many passengers and drivers still remember them..

The reverse side of the coin, designed by medal maker MgA. Martin Dašek, features a three-quarter view of the M 131.1 motor car. The relief is supplemented with a hint of wheels and tracks. As coins of the Czech Mint are issued with licence from a foreign issuer, namely the island of Niue, the obverse side bears the necessary details – the state emblem, the nominal value of 1 DOLLAR (NZD) and the year of issue 2025. In keeping with the name of the collector's series, the circumference of the obverse side is formed by segments of wheels from various means of transport.

The coin includes the elaborated packaging in the form of a pop-up book containing accompanying text and period photographs. This issue marks the end of the On Wheels series after seven years!