Cars of the 810 series were produced by Vagónka Studénka for ČSD in the years 1975–1982 (prototypes in 1973). Since the mid-1990s, both successor organizations (ČD and ŽSR, later ZSSK) have been modernized to different type series. Some of the cars are still in operation in their original condition.
In the 1970s, the former Czechoslovak State Railways (CSD) had an urgent need for powerful diesel goods locomotives for medium-heavy shunting and mainline service. As a result, the lighter T 466.2 variant was designed based on the industrial locomotive type T 448. CKD in Prag manufactured nine series (each with slight technical differences) with 94 units from 1977 onwards and was in service with the CSD until 1986. In 1998, the class designation T 466.2 was changed to 742.