ICE 3

Last updated

DB/NS Class 403/406/407/408
ICE 3 Oberhaider-Wald-Tunnel.jpg
ICE 3 on the Cologne–Frankfurt high-speed rail line
2. Klasse des ICE 3 (nach Redesign).jpg
Second class interior
In service2000–present
Manufacturer Siemens, ADtranz, Bombardier
DesignerN+P Industrial Design, Siemens
Family name Velaro
Number built
  • Class 403: 50
  • Class 406: 17
  • Class 407: 17
  • Class 408: 90 (on order)
Formation8 cars
Capacity
  • Class 403: 441
  • Class 406: 430
  • Class 407: 460
  • Class 408: 455
Operators
Specifications
Car body construction Aluminum
Train length
  • Class 403/406: 200.84 m (658 ft 11 in)
  • Class 407/408: 200.72 m (658 ft 6 in)
  • Cab car: 25.835 m (84 ft 9.1 in)
  • Intermediate car: 24.775 m (81 ft 3.4 in)
Width2.950 m (9 ft 8.1 in)
Height3.89 m (12 ft 9 in)
Maximum speed
  • Class 403/406: 330 km/h (205 mph)
  • Class 407/408: 320 km/h (200 mph)
Weight
  • ICE 3: 409  t (902,000  lb)
  • ICE 3M: 435 t (959,000 lb)
Traction system
Power output8,000 kW (10,728 hp)
Tractive effort
  • 300 kN (67,443 lbf) starting
  • 270 kN (60,698 lbf) continuous at 106 km/h (66 mph)
Electric system(s)
Current collector(s) Pantograph
UIC classification Bo'Bo' + 2'2' + Bo'Bo' + 2'2' + 2'2' + Bo'Bo' + 2'2' + Bo'Bo'
Safety system(s)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

ICE 3 (standing for Intercity-Express), is a family of high-speed electric multiple unit trains operated by Deutsche Bahn. It includes classes 403, 406,407 and 408, which are additionally specified as ICE 3, ICE 3M, New ICE 3 and ICE 3neo respectively. Three multisystem trains, known as ICE International, are owned by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS, Dutch Railways). [1] ICE 3 trains have a maximum speed of 320 km/h (200 mph) when travelling on the high-speed rail lines, however class 403 are permitted to go up to a maximum speed of 330 km/h (210 mph) when it travels on the high-speed route between Frankfurt and Cologne. [2]

Contents

Based on the ICE 3M/F, Siemens developed its Siemens Velaro train family with versions used in Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Russia and Turkey.

Class 403

The design goal of the ICE 3 (Class 403) was to create a higher-powered, lighter train than its predecessors such as the ICE 2 and the ICE 1. This was achieved by distributing its 16 traction motors underneath the whole train, thus ICE 3 trains are Electric multiple units (EMUs). The train is certified for 330 km/h (210 mph) and has reached 368 km/h (229 mph) on trial runs. On regular Intercity-Express services they run at up to 300 km/h (190 mph), the maximum design speed of German high-speed lines.

Because the train does not have power cars, the whole length of the train is available for passenger seats, including the first car. The lounge-seats are located directly behind the driver, separated only by a glass wall.

The 50 sets were ordered in 1994 and specifically designed for the new high-speed line between Frankfurt and Cologne. They were built by a consortium led by Siemens and Adtranz (now Bombardier Transportation). [3]

For the EXPO 2000 in Hanover, Deutsche Bahn provided 120 additional train services. Some of these special services were operated by ICE trains and labelled "ExpoExpress" (EXE). These services also constituted the first widespread use of the then-new ICE 3 train sets, presenting them to the domestic and international general public. [4]

On 11 April 2017, Deutsche Bahn announced the modernisation programme called ICE 3 Redesign for its 66-unit ICE 3 fleet to be completed by the end of 2020. [5] The renovation involves replacing the seats, tables, and floor coverings. The six-seat compartment rooms are eliminated from the second class section to increase the number of seats and add more luggage compartments. In addition, the number of disability seating has been increased to two; however, no integrated wheelchair lift has been installed, and no disability seating is offered in the first-class section. The seats in some Bordrestaurant have been converted to the red bench seating while Bordbistro receives the new stand tables. The cabin illumination is provided by LED lamps, providing more illumination, while the reading lamps are eliminated. The seat reservation panels are moved from the walls above the windows to the seat headrests per EU directive on accessibilities: the new panel has bigger and more visible white lettering and Braille. The yellow LCD information monitors in the antechambers are replaced with larger full-colour LED displays, showing the map, train number, speed, and other pertinent information. The new smaller displays are attached to the ceiling above the aisle throughout the cabins.

Class 406

NS branded ICE 3 (Class 406) on the Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed rail line ICE 3M KRM.jpg
NS branded ICE 3 (Class 406) on the Cologne–Frankfurt high-speed rail line
Class 406 driver cab Fst ICE 3MF.jpg
Class 406 driver cab

The ICE 3M (Class 406; M for multisystem) was developed to operate international services under the four different railway electrification systems in use on Europe's main lines and with support for various train protection systems. The Deutsche Bahn (DB) ordered 13 of these units in 1994, the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) four, making sure that the demands of the Dutch rail network are taken care of. Though these trains carry NS logos, the DB and NS trains together form a pool and therefore, the NS trains may operate DB services as well. In 2007 the train was licensed for operation in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. On the French LGV Est, some trains reach a regular top speed of 320 km/h (200 mph).

The 17 class 406 sets were built by the same consortium as the Class 403. They were first introduced in November 2000 on services between Cologne and Amsterdam. Since December 2002, they have also been operating three journeys daily each way between Frankfurt and Brussels (increased to four per day since December 2010). [3]

In Belgium, the train was licensed in 2002 to run on the classic 3 kV DC lines with speeds up to 160 km/h (100 mph) and, from December 2004, also on the new 25 kV AC high-speed lines, but initially limited to 250 km/h (155 mph) instead of 300 km/h (190 mph). [6] Problems with flying gravel and its frictionless linear eddy current brake came up during testing. In order to limit the creation of tornado-like vortices that pick up gravel and to limit damage from flying gravel to the train, spoilers have been added under the car joints, under the carbody next to the bogies and under the powered axles on the bogies. The linear eddy current brake, which is required for higher speeds, cannot yet be used, because the magnetic field would rip off the magnetic covers of some trackside equipment; those covers will have to be replaced by non-magnetic ones according to the EU Technical Specifications for Interoperability for international rail traffic in Europe.

As in Belgium, licensing procedures for France took five years to be completed. In Switzerland, licensing took only six months. [6] Trial runs were completed in late 2005 and the same two problems were encountered as in Belgium: loose gravel damage and possible side-effects of the brakes. ICE 3Ms were allowed on the LGV Est and started service there on 20 June 2007, mixed with TGVs. Since December 2007, DB operates ICE 3M trains from Frankfurt central station to Paris Est, initially with five daily runs between both cities. The six trains for running into France (designated ICE-3 MF, indicating multisystem France) were modified at Bombardier's Hennigsdorf plant and were extensively tested on Siemens' test site in Wegberg-Wildenrath before the modified trains re-entered commercial service. Despite this, the "French" subset of six class 406 trains have suffered from reliability problems, so that some Paris–Frankfurt services are operated instead by French TGVs (currently TGV 2N2 'Euroduplex' as of 2015) under the "Alleo" joint venture between DB and SNCF. [3]

Currently, those trains are used for cross-border runs between Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France. However, as of 2024 all of them are being gradually replaced with new Class 408 trainsets while being repurposed for domestic services within Germany.

Class 407

A Siemens Velaro Class 407 trainset in Paris Velaro-ice-db-class-407-paris-est.jpg
A Siemens Velaro Class 407 trainset in Paris

Deutsche Bahn placed an order for fifteen trains valued €500 million in November 2008. [7] On 18 April 2010, Deutsche Bahn presented the first Velaro D at Siemens' Krefeld plant. [8] It is designed for operation at up to 320 km/h (200 mph), is wider, quieter and more energy-saving, should be less susceptible to malfunctions than its predecessor, and incorporates additional crashworthiness and fire safety measures. [8] The new train was supposed to be used mainly for international services from Germany to France, Belgium and the Netherlands. [9] The new type's safety measures are in line with the new specifications for operating passenger trains inside the Channel Tunnel, allowing the Class 407 to be used on the services that DB planned to operate from London to Amsterdam and Frankfurt in 2015. [10] The planned service to London was never introduced. [11]

The new train was designated Class 407 and was originally scheduled to enter service at the end of 2011. This date has since been postponed several times. [12] In December 2013 the first four trains delivered to DB were licensed for domestic operation as multiple units and started with passenger traffic. Four more trains were expected for delivery in spring 2014, whereas the remainder of eight trains shall be used by Siemens for test runs in France and Belgium to gain type approval there. [13]

In June 2011, Deutsche Bahn ordered one additional Velaro D set in order to replace an ICE3MF set damaged in an accident in August 2010. [14]

Class 408

A Siemens Velaro Class 408 trainset on its way from Amsterdam to Frankfurt am Main Praest ICE-3NEO 8010 (53845722138).jpg
A Siemens Velaro Class 408 trainset on its way from Amsterdam to Frankfurt am Main

In 2019 Deutsche Bahn needed more trains to run on national and international high-speed tracks. Siemens offered them an evolution of the Velaro D equipped with multi-system capability and hence labelled Velaro MS. In 2020 Deutsche Bahn ordered 30 trainsets for delivery starting in 2022. The trains are designed for operation at 320 km/h and will be deployed from the end of 2022 on routes that use the Cologne – Frankfurt high speed line which is designed for operation at 300 km/h. [15]

The first of the trains, called ICE 3neo by Deutsche Bahn and classed as 408, was completed in late 2021 with test runs started immediately. In February of 2022, the order volume increased to 73 trains and the first train was shown to journalists. All 73 trains are supposed to be in service by early 2029. [16] In May 2023 DB announced to order the remaining 17 Options of Class 408-trains, so the total order rose to 90.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intercity Express</span> German state-owned high-speed rail system

Intercity Express is a high-speed rail system in Germany. It also serves destinations in Austria, France, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands as part of cross-border services. It is the flagship of the German state railway, Deutsche Bahn. ICE fares are fixed for station-to-station connections, on the grounds that the trains have a higher level of comfort. Travelling at speeds up to 300 km/h (190 mph) within Germany and 320 km/h (200 mph) when in France, they are aimed at business travellers and long-distance commuters and marketed by Deutsche Bahn as an alternative to flights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGV Nord</span> French high-speed railway

The Ligne à Grande Vitesse Nord, typically shortened to LGV Nord, is a French 333-kilometre (207 mi)-long high-speed rail line, opened in 1993, that connects Paris to the Belgian border and the Channel Tunnel via Lille.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siemens Velaro</span> Family of high-speed electric multiple unit trains

Siemens Velaro is a family of high-speed electric multiple unit trains built by Siemens. It is based on the ICE 3 high-speed trains initially co-manufactured by Siemens and Bombardier for German national rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HSL 2</span> Belgian high-speed rail line

The HSL 2 is a Belgian high-speed rail line between Leuven and Ans and is 66.2 km (41 mi) long, all of it on dedicated high-speed tracks, which began service on 15 December 2002. As part of the Belgian railway network, it is owned, technically operated and maintained by Infrabel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ICE 1</span> German high-speed train type

The ICE 1 is the first batch-produced German high-speed train and one of six in the Intercity Express family. Revenue service at speeds up to 250 km/h (155 mph) started in 1991. It was raised to 280 km/h (175 mph) in May 1995 and temporary reduced to 250 km/h (155 mph) again, as a result of the Eschede accident.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ICE 2</span> German high speed train

The ICE 2 is the second series of German high-speed trains and one of six in the Intercity-Express family since 1995. The ICE 2 (half-) trains are even closer to a conventional push–pull train than the ICE 1, because each train consists of only one locomotive, six passenger cars and a cab car. The maximum speed is 280 km/h (175 mph), but this is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph) when the cab car is leading the train and even further down to 160 km/h (100 mph) when two units are coupled at the powerheads due to the forces on the overhead line by their respective pantographs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ICE S</span>

ICE S is Deutsche Bahn's train for high-speed tests. The letter "S" abbreviates the German expression Schnellfahrt, which translates into high speed run. The train replaced the InterCityExperimental.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High-speed rail in Germany</span>

Construction of the first high-speed rail in Germany began shortly after that of the French LGVs. However, legal battles caused significant delays, so that the German Intercity-Express (ICE) trains were deployed ten years after the TGV network was established. Germany has around 1,658 kilometers of high speed lines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DB Class 403 (1973)</span>

The DB Class 403 was a series of three electric multiple units commissioned by the Deutsche Bundesbahn in the 1970s, an early predecessor of the Intercity-Express as a high-speed train. The units were mainly used for InterCity services and again by the Lufthansa airline in the 1980s. Due to the distinctive design of its front section, the unit was nicknamed the "Donald Duck". They were designed for operational speeds of up to 220 km/h, a speed which was also attained in extensive test drives, but they were limited to 200 km/h in regular DB service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EuroSprinter</span> Family of electric locomotives

The EuroSprinter family of electric locomotives is a modular concept of locomotives for the European market built by Siemens Mobility. The internal Siemens product name is ES 64, with ES for EuroSprinter and the number 64 indicating the 6,400 kW power at rail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China Railway CRH3</span> Chinese high-speed train

The CRH3 Hexie is a version of the Siemens Velaro high-speed train used in China on the Beijing–Tianjin intercity railway line, Wuhan-Guangzhou Passenger Dedicated Line, Zhengzhou-Xi'an Passenger Dedicated Line and the Shanghai–Nanjing intercity railway. It is capable of service speed of 380 km/h (236 mph) as the very similar Velaro E used in Spain, but, similarly to the Sapsan, it is 300 mm (11.8 in) wider to take advantage of a more generous structure gauge and thus be able to fit in more seats in a 2+3 layout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renfe Class 103</span> High speed train type

The Renfe Class 103 is a high-speed train used for the AVE service and operated in Spain by the state-run railway company RENFE. The trainset is also known as S103 or S/103.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ICE T</span> High-speed German tilting train

DBAG Class 411 and Class 415 are German tilting electric multiple-unit high-speed trains in service with DB Fernverkehr, commonly known as ICE T.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berlin–Halle railway</span> Railway line in Germany

The Berlin–Halle railway, sometimes called the Anhalt railway, is a twin-track, electrified main line found in the German city and state of Berlin, and the states of Brandenburg and Sachsen-Anhalt. The railway was originally built and managed by the Berlin-Anhaltische Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft.

<i>Sapsan</i> Russian gauge high speed electric express train

The Sapsan is a Russian gauge high speed electric express train. The train is a Siemens Velaro model, which in turn is based on the ICE 3M/F high-speed trains manufactured by Siemens for the German Deutsche Bahn (DB), known as the Siemens Velaro RUS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intercity (Deutsche Bahn)</span> Locomotive-hauled long-distance passenger rail service in Germany

Intercity (IC) is the second-highest train classification in Germany, after the Intercity Express (ICE). Intercity services are locomotive-hauled express trains, usually over long-distances. There are Intercity routes throughout Germany and routes generally operate every other hour, with multiple routes giving a more frequent service on core routes. Intercity services are operated by the DB Fernverkehr division of Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ICE 4</span> High speed train

ICE 4 is a brand name for long-distance Intercity-Express high-speed trains being procured for Deutsche Bahn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 374</span> Eurostar high speed train

The British Rail Class 374, also referred to as the Eurostar e320, is a type of electric multiple unit passenger train used on Eurostar services through the Channel Tunnel to serve destinations beyond the core routes to Paris and Brussels. They began to run passenger services in November 2015. The trains, owned by Eurostar International Limited, are sixteen-coach versions of the Siemens Velaro. Each train is 390.2 m (1,280 ft) long. The trains are compliant with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TCDD HT80000</span> High-speed train type

TCDD HT80000, also known as Siemens Velaro TR, is a series of high-speed electric multiple units built by Siemens for the Turkish State Railways. The EMUs are used for the Yüksek Hızlı Tren (YHT) services on the Turkish high-speed railway network and especially on the Polatlı–Konya high-speed railway, where they can reach a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geschwindigkeitsüberwachung Neigetechnik</span> Train protection system

The train protection system Geschwindigkeitsüberwachung Neigetechnik enables to rise the speed of tilting trains until 30 % above the limits for conventional trains. It is installed on numerous lines in Germany along with the traditional Punktförmige Zugbeeinflussung (PZB) intermittent signalling system.

References

  1. ↑ "ICE – NS" (PDF).
  2. ↑ Tiwari, Sakshi (3 July 2023). "At 453 KM/H, China Tests World's Fastest, New-Gen High-Speed Train That Is Safer, Energy-Efficient & Intelligent". Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "The German ICE family". Modern Railways. London. December 2010. pp. 70–71.
  4. ↑ "Dritte Generation ICE-Triebzüge für DB Reise&Touristik". Elektrische Bahnen, Elektrotechnik im Verkehrswesen (in German) (11). 2000. ISSN   0013-5437.
  5. ↑ "ICE 3 Redesign: Die Anpassungen im Überblick". 11 April 2017.
  6. 1 2 Harmonisierungsdefizite am Beispiel von Auslandszulassungen des Triebzuges ICE 3, in "Elektrische Bahnen", Vo. 103 (2005), pages 147-149
  7. ↑ "Siemens receives order over 15 high-speed trains from Deutsche Bahn" (Press release). Siemens. 17 December 2008. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2008. Reference Number: I MO 200812.006-04.
  8. 1 2 "DB unveils next-generation ICE". Railway Gazette International . London. 28 April 2010. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  9. ↑ "Neuer ICE: Hightech gegen die Achsenkrise". Spiegel Online (in German). 28 April 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  10. ↑ Fender, Keith (December 2010). "DB unveils plans for London services". Modern Railways. London. pp. 68–69.
  11. ↑ "Germany's Frankfurt-London high-speed rail link put on ice". February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  12. ↑ Keith Barrow (14 June 2013). "DB secures Channel Tunnel access". International Railway Journal.
  13. ↑ "EBA approves Velaro D high speed trains for domestic operation". Railway Gazette International. London. 23 December 2013.
  14. ↑ Smith, Kevin (June 2011). "DB and Siemens finally sign ICx contract". International Railway Journal. Falmouth. p. 4.
  15. ↑ "Deutsche Bahn orders 320 km/h Velaro derivatives". Railway Gazette. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2022..
  16. ↑ "DB orders more ICE3neo sets as first unit is unveiled". Railway Gazette. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to ICE 3 at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.