GERMANY: The first of 73 ICE3neo high speed trainsets that Siemens Mobility is supplying to Deutsche Bahn entered service on the Frankfurt – Köln line on December 5.
From December 11 the trains will be used on the Dortmund – Köln – Frankfurt – Stuttgart – München route, using the Wendlingen – Ulm high speed line which will open with the timetable change.
From 2024, they will also operate on international routes to Belgium and the Netherlands.
DB ordered 30 ICE3neo high speed sets in July 2020 with an option for 60 more. The operator exercised an option for 43 in February 2022 when the first set was unveiled at DB’s Berlin-Rummelsburg workshops.
‘Just two and a half years have passed between the contract signing and the train’s inaugural passenger service. ICE procurement procedures generally take twice as long,’ said Dr Michael Peterson, DB board member for Long Distance Passenger Transport.
CEO of Siemens Mobility Michael Peter said ‘the quick delivery was primarily possible thanks to the outstanding cooperation with DB, but also because the ICE3neo is based on our proven Velaro platform.’
He said ‘even though we built and delivered the train in record time, we were able to incorporate many innovations in the train’s interior that will further enhance passenger comfort’.
With the 73 high speed trains to be delivered by 2029, DB aims to rejuvenate and expand its long-distance fleet and facilitation a national clockface timetable.
Features of the 300 km/h trainsets include coloured LED lights showing reserved and available seats, windows designed for stable mobile phone reception, lighting that varies according to the time of day, and power sockets at every seat. There is a door with a lift for passengers using wheelchairs.
There is space for eight bicycles, and according to Siemens Mobility and DB they will be the first trains in Germany to transport bicycles at 300 km/h.
DB has trained around 5 000 employees to drive, maintain and provide onboard services on the new trainsets.
