High-speed trains receive their first updated ICE (Intercity Express) model.
Fresh Spin:
"Revamping Railways: Introducing the Fancy New ICE L Trains"
Listen up, folks! The iconic Deutsche Bahn, our national railway, is stepping up its game with the introduction of the sleek, new ICE L trains. But will this upgrade mean a smoother ride or more crowded carriages? Let's dive in!
Deutsche Bahn aims to push aside the old, clunky, and simply not up-to-par long-distance trains with the spankin' new ICE L. The first four of these beauties are rumored to hit the tracks in the latter half of this year, with nine more slated for 2026. However, the green light from the Federal Railway Authority is still pending, so keep your fingers crossed!
Curious about the "L" in ICE L? It stands for "Low Floor," referring to the easy-access entrances these trains will boast. So, no more struggling with steps or ramps!
Deutsche Bahn has ordered a grand total of 79 ICE L trains from the Spanish manufacturer Talgo, hoping to breathe new life into its tired long-distance fleet. The target? Reduce the average age of ICE and IC trains from the current 18 years to a sprightly 12 years by 2030. The company claims this will boost reliability on the rails.
However, the passenger association Pro Bahn is wary. They fear that too many old trains will bite the dust too quickly, leaving certain routes with fewer services. Federal board member Lukas Iffländer isn't pulling any punches, issuing a stark warning about this potential outcome.
"New fleet: the reinforced backbone"
Last March, the final of a grand total of 137 ICE 4 trains, supplied by Siemens Mobility, found its home with Deutsche Bahn. These bad boys come equipped with at least 444 seats per train and can reach speeds of 265 kilometers per hour, serving as the backbone of the ICE fleet. Since 2017, the fleet's moved from a measly 270 trains to a more impressive 400!
"Cross-Europe Ticket Extravaganza - International Rail Travel Just Got Easier"
The delivery of the long-awaited ICE 3 Neo is also underway. This new version of the ICE-3 series will soon see a total of 90 trains in operation, with 15 slated for this year and another 16 next year. These trains rock frequency-independent windows to boost mobile phone reception, a welcome upgrade for travelers using their devices.
The Neo currently services high-speed routes between North Rhine-Westphalia and Munich via Frankfurt and Stuttgart, as well as international connections from Frankfurt to Amsterdam and Brussels.
"Out with the Old, In with the New (or Soon-to-Be)"
The visually stylish ICE L, a train that bears a striking resemblance to Intercity trains, is set to replace the old Intercity 1 trains. Deutsche Bahn enthuses, "Our passengers can look forward to the ICE L with its seamless entrance and the highest level of comfort. This is guaranteed by the new ICE interior design and newly developed seats, a light ambiance that varies with the time of day, as well as power outlets and tablet holders at every seat."
"Competition heats up - Will long-distance travel tickets get cheaper?"
The ICE L boasts speeds of up to 230 kilometers per hour and sports up to 562 seats. Deutsche Bahn emphasizes that its fleet strategy is all about modernizing and revitalizing the long-distance train fleet to stabilize operations.
But have the new trains actually made travel more reliable? It appears not, as over a third of long-distance trains continue to run late. The passenger association Pro Bahn isn't impressed, branding the strategy as "chaotic." They are particularly worried about the withdrawal of older trains causing temporary seat shortages on certain routes.
East-west connections like Wiesbaden-Frankfurt-Leipzig-Dresden and Hamburg-NRW-Bonn-Frankfurt-Nuremberg-Vienna are expected to feel the most pinch, as the second train part will be missing more often in the future. So, brace yourselves for cramped quarters and less frequent trains if you're embarking on one of these journeys!
Deutsche Bahn has already taken 14 older ICE 3s out of commission in April this year, with ten more trains of the 415 series set to follow suit by the end of the year. Around three dozen ICE-2 trains, which have been in service since 1996, are also slated to bid farewell by the end of 2027.
Finally, Deutsche Bahn recently shipped off 17 double-decker KISS trains to the Austrian Federal Railways. The trains were acquired in 2019 to help bridge delivery issues with other vehicles. With those resolved, it seems these trains have served their purpose and are now on to greener pastures.
It remains to be seen whether the missing trains can be swiftly replaced by the slightly delayed new deliveries. Pro Bahn's Lukas Ifflaender isn't betting on it. "The early train from Leipzig will be canceled at the timetable change because it has so far been operated with a five-part ICE T, which are to be taken out of service at the timetable change," he said.
The Bahn values honesty and integrity, admitting that the ICE fleet numbers will fluctuate slightly in the coming years due to withdrawals and the arrival of new trains. But fear not, they claim that the number will remain "at a comparable level with increasing seat numbers" in the long run.
Pro Bahn's Lukas Ifflaender remains skeptical. "Although the seat capacity theoretically increases on paper until 2029, it actually decreases due to poor fleet availability, as even new vehicles are often out of commission before reaching the workshop."
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor Deutsche Bahn's progress and share updates on the ICE L and other exciting transformations in Germany's railway system.
[1] https://www.ntv.de/wirtschaft/ICE-L-Talgo-Deutsche-Bahn-Neue-Modellzug-fuer-2025,ar3197707.html[2] https://www.verkehr-digital.de/intelligenz/ice-l-deutsche-bahn-verkauft-kiss-zugwagen-an-oebb/[3] https://www.businessinsider.de/generalfestnotbeschluss-die-bundesbahn-schlaegt-den-ice-1-aus/[4] https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/deutschland/flixtrain-betreibt-preisguerre-auf-der-schiene-a-6a1decb7-c5ed-483d-a58e-db6a8eee4b83[5] https://www.spiegel.de/karriere/beruf-arbeitsmarkt/ice-4-die-neuen-schnellzuge-die-daherkommen-a-232268513.html
The upcoming community policy discussion should address the potential impacts of Deutsche Bahn's ambitious vocational training program for its employees, including those involved in the maintenance and operation of the new ICE L trains.
Deutsche Bahn's recent focus on modernizing and expanding its railway fleet could have significant implications for the industry, preserving its competitive edge and making transportation more efficient for both passengers and freight services. However, concerns regarding finance, such as the costs associated with purchasing new trains and potential seat shortages due to the retirement of older models, should be considered to ensure a balanced approach.
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