GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn has selected Talgo to supply a new generation of push-pull trainsets to operate long-distance inter-city and international services, the national operator announced on February 5.
Following an international tender, DB Fernverkehr has awarded Talgo a framework contract for up to 100 trainsets, placing a firm order for an initial build of 23 sets valued at €550m. Formed of an electric locomotive, driving trailer and an unspecified number of intermediate coaches, the trainsets will be designed to operate at a maximum speed of 230 km/h.
The first Talgo 230 trainsets are expected to enter service from 2023. According to DB Fernverkehr, they will initially be deployed on routes including Berlin – Amsterdam, Köln – Westerland (Sylt) and Hamburg – Oberstdorf. Dual-system capability would be required to operate in the Netherlands, while sections of the other two routes are not currently electrified.
DB had called tenders in 2017 for a fleet of new single-deck inter-city trains to replace its ageing fleet of loco-hauled stock used on InterCity and EuroCity routes not served by ICE high speed trains. The trains were to have at least 485 seats, and offer a similar level of comfort to the ICE fleet, while being suitable for operation in Germany, Austria and ‘other European countries’, including the Netherlands.
‘We see an encouraging trend continuing, with more passengers than ever using our ICE and IC trains’, said DB Board Member for passenger services Berthold Huber. Last year, DB Fernverkehr reported more than 145 million passenger journeys, up from 142 million the previous year.
Last September the DB board approved the procurement of another 18 ICE4 trainsets and 50 intermediate cars from Siemens as part of a €1bn fleet investment package which included the refurbishment of older trains. DB subsequently committed to further fleet expansion as part of its five-point performance improvement plan presented to the government on January 17.
