The ES 499.1 is a mixed-traffic locomotive suited for both AC and DC systems in use in former Czechoslovakia. They originally had a top speed of 120 km/h and opposed to most multi-system locomotives, they deliver more power in DC than in AC mode. The first two prototypes were built in 1980 and 180 more followed between 1984 and 1990. From 1988, they were known as class 363. Later 30 locomotives of the E 499.3 or class 163, what was in turn the DC variant of the 363, were rebuilt to class 363.5 by adding the AC equipment. The S 499.2 or class 263 is the AC-only development.
In 1990, Škoda presented a derivative with a top speed of 140 km/h that was to be called class 362. But instead of building these new, the ČD rebuilt existing locomotives of the class 363 to the 362. Also the Slovak ŽSR did the same with their locomotives. After faster locomotives had been introduced by the ČD, many of the class 362 were again rebuilt back to the slower 363. Today the class is mostly used in freight service and some have been withdrawn since 2015, some used in passenger traffic have received push-pull controls and upgraded cabs.
