The АЧ2 (ATsh 2) was a four-axle diesel-hydraulic railcar built by the Czechoslovak Vagonka Studénka for the Soviet State Railways. It was designed for fast suburban services on non-electrified lines. The engine was the same as in the ДР1 (DR1) built in the sixties. It had 1,000 hp and was powerful enough to haul two trailers. Power was transmitted to two axles of one bogie. Although designed for the use with trailers, they have cabs on both ends.
After two prototypes delivered in 1984, 120 production vehicles were built between 1988 and 1990. At the same time, an number of trailers of the type АПЧ2 (APTsh2) were delivered. Usually, one motor car hauls two trailers or two motor cars are being combined with four trailers. All operators which use the АЧ2 in scheduled service are located in the European part of the former Soviet Union. Additionally, some are used as inspection vehicles elsewhere.