Opened in 1908, the TEŽ had become so run down by the early 1960s that it needed extensive reconstruction, to meet the requirements of its growing tourist traffic.

Between 1964 and 1970, the TEŽ was therefore completely refurbished, in preparation for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1970, which were held in the area.

Each class EMU 89.0 unit consisted of three steel bodied sections, joined to each other by full width articulated passages, and Jacobs bogies.

In mid April 1965, the prototype, no 89.001, began a testing program on the TEŽ line between Poprad-Tatry and Štrbské Pleso.

In September 1965, the prototype was returned to the factory, where it was fitted with more efficient compressors and underwent some minor adjustments, including to its heating equipment.

The prototype entered regular service in May 1967 on the Poprad-Tatry to Starý Smokovec line, and operated at speeds of up to 45 kilometres per hour (28 mph).

Until the breakup of the former Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the 18 class members, and the TEŽ itself, were owned and operated by the Czechoslovak State Railways (ČSD).

In service, their well proven three section articulated configuration allowed successful operation on the TEŽ's tight radius curves.