Dr Michael Peterson, member of the management board for long distance passenger transport at DB, said, “In the next few years, DB will undergo a major overhaul. This applies both to the rail network and to our trains. This year we will already receive an average of three new ICE trains per month. We are now accelerating the rejuvenation of our train fleet.”
Talgo contract
The Talgo deal, which is worth €1,400m and is the largest train supply contract for the firm in its 80-year history, is part of a framework agreement signed in 2019 for a maximum of 100 trains. DB made the first order for 23 trains in 2019. Both orders will take the Talgo-made ICE L fleet to 79 units currently.
The trains belong to the Talgo 230 technology platform and will be operated by Deutsche Bahn throughout Germany under the “ICE L” name, which designates long-distance, high-speed services.
The 56 new ICE L units will be identical to the 23 that are currently in production and that will gradually come into operation from Autumn 2024.
The multi-system locomotive, developed entirely by Talgo, is fully interoperable and will allow ICE L trains to travel not only within Germany, but also on international services connecting Berlin with Amsterdam quickly and without stopping at the border. The composition will also be compatible with locomotives from other manufacturers for operation, for example, on non-electrified lines.
Siemens contract
Siemens Mobility, meanwhile, will deliver an additional 17 ICE 3neo trains worth around €600m to DB. The ICE 3neo fleet, based on the Velaro MS platform, will then grow to a total of 90 trains.
Deutsche Bahn first ordered 30 ICE 3neo trains from Siemens Mobility in July 2020, and called up 43 further trains in January 2022. With this new order, the original framework agreement for 90 trains signed in July 2020 has been completed.
The ICE 3neo trains will be manufactured at the Siemens Mobility plant in Krefeld and delivered by August 2028. Trains that were first ordered have been in passenger service since December 2022, after being built in record time.
With its top speed of 320 km/h, the ICE 3neo is one of the fastest members of the ICE fleet. The eight-car trains are equipped with four different voltage systems so they can in the future provide cross-border service on international connections from Germany to Belgium and the Netherlands.
“With the delivery of 90 ICE 3neo trains, Siemens Mobility is providing a large share of DB’s new capacity for long-distance passenger transport. The trains are based on our proven Velaro platform, ensuring short delivery times, long-term viability, reliable operation, and a speedier transportation transition. The first trains of the ICE 3neo family have been impressing passengers since December 2022 with their refined comfort and advanced technology,” added Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility.