| ICE L | |
|---|---|
 ICE L control car | |
| Stock type | push-pull train |
| Manufacturer | Talgo |
| Assembly | Las Matas,Madrid Rivabellosa,Álava |
| Family name | Talgo 230 |
| Entered service | 2025 (planned) |
| Number under construction | 79 |
| Formation | 17 cars |
| Capacity | 562 seats (1st class: 85, 2nd class: 477) |
| Operators | DB Fernverkehr,NS |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium |
| Train length | 256 m (840 ft) (with locomotive) |
| Car length | 19.7 m (65 ft) (locomotive) 13.3 m (44 ft) (middle cars) 18.3 m (60 ft) (end cars) |
| Width | 2.9 m (9.5 ft) |
| Height | 3.6 m (12 ft) (middle cars) 3.8 m (12 ft) (end cars) |
| Floor height | 760 mm (30 in) |
| Maximum speed | 230 km/h (145 mph) |
| Weight | 406 t (400 long tons; 448 short tons) - empty |
| Traction motors | TSA TMF 69-42-4 1,300 kW (1,700 hp)[1] |
| Power output | 6,400 kW (8,600 hp) |
| Electric system(s) | |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| Safety system(s) | PZB90,LZB,ATB,ETCS |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)standard gauge |
ICE L is a long-distance loco-hauledpush-pull train which is being manufactured by the Spanish companyTalgo for the German train operatorDB Fernverkehr and is scheduled to commence operation from 2025.[2] The name of the train was changed in 2021 from its previous working titleECx,[3] with the L standing forlow-floor entry. The trains form part of the manufacturer'sTalgo 230 family of trains.[4][5][6][7] The Talgo Travca locomotives ordered for the service are designatedDB Class 105.[8] They will replace oldIntercity (IC) trains in Germany.
In November 2015, it was announced in a press release that Deutsche Bahn was planning to procure long-distance coaches in addition to theIntercity 2 double-decker trains. These were intended for use on international routes and for operation on non-electrified lines and to have a higher maximum speed than the 160 km/h of the Intercity 2 carriages. The related call for tenders for a framework contract was published on 2 March 2017.[9]
In February 2019, Deutsche Bahn signed a framework agreement with Spanish manufacturer Patentes Talgo. Richard Lutz, chairman of Deutsche Bahn, announced that the best offer had been chosen, howeverHandelsblatt reported that Patentes Talgo was the only bidder. The framework contract includes the delivery of up to 100 trains and in the first call 23 trains were ordered for a total cost that should amount to around 550 million euros. At about 24 million euros, each train is thus much cheaper than an ICE.[10]
The new rolling stock was presented to the public in mid-March 2019, under the working titleECx. Each train set will be 256 m long, and consist of one locomotive and 17articulated cars.[11] Each car is connected to the neighbouring car with a single-axle bogie, with double-axle bogies only at each end of the set. This gives each train 20 axles, in addition to those of the associated locomotive. Each unit will be delivered with amulti-system-electric DB Class 105 locomotive (Talgo Travca locomotive - 19.5m, 4 axles, 72t). The single-axle carriage construction allows for a weight of 425 tonnes - which in turn makes it slightly lighter than a shorter seven-carICE 4. Entry and floor heights are 76 cm throughout, allowing for step-free access from suitable platforms, and step-free passage throughout the train.
During 2019, Deutsche Bahn and theFederal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure jointly announced that all future tenders for long-distance passenger vehicles will have equivalent accessibility requirements (76 cm step-free entry and passage).[12]
Under the existing framework contract, an additional 56 sets were ordered in May 2023 for €1.4bn, taking the total number of sets to 79.[13]
Trains are manufactured in Talgo's factory in Spain, and certification tests took place at the Zughotel in Braunschweig. This was followed by dynamic tests at theŻmigród test track in Poland at 160 km/h, which was followed by tests up to 230 km/h in Germany[14] Climate testing was undertaken at Rail Tec Arsenal inVienna, as well as other tests in Romania.[15] Owing to delays in production of the DB Class 105 locomotives, reportedly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Siemens Vectron locomotives leased fromNS will be used on the Berlin-Amsterdam service until these are delivered. Dual mode Vectron locomotives will also be used for the non-electrified lines servingOberstdorf andWesterland (Sylt)[16]
ICE L train sets will be certified for 230 km/h (145 mph) operation, and can be hauled either by the supplied Talgo Travca locomotive, or any otherdiesel orelectric locomotive.[16] Individual cars are shorter than typical railway carriages in order to avoid excessiveaxle load due to the single-axle design, as is typical for the Talgo design.[17][18][19][20]
Each train set will have 477 second-class and 85 first-class seats, three wheelchair spaces, eight bicycle rides spaces, a separate toddler area and a family area with play area. Trains will be equipped withWLAN, blind spot detection camera, onboard entertainment (ICE portal), numerouspassenger information systems with real-time data and plenty of luggage space.[21] ICE L trains will all be equipped with adining car of the usual DB standard.[22] Window glass will be designed to improve signal reception for mobile devices.[13]
Step free entry is possible at suitably constructed platforms due to a continuous 760 mm entry and floor height[13][23] - one of the standard Europeanplatform heights. This helps ensure accessibility in Germany and the Netherlands.
According to Deutsche Bahn, the trains were originally planned to be put in service from the 2023/24 timetable change onwards and would have appeared on the Berlin - Amsterdam route and then from the summer of 2024 onwards holiday services between Berlin, Cologne, Karlsruhe and Westerland.[24] It was later reported that entry into service would be delayed from autumn 2024 to the middle of 2025, with delays encountered in testing and approval.[2] On the route from Berlin to Amsterdam, the journey time of theInterCity trains should be shortened by 30 minutes.DB Fernverkehr plans to use the new trains on the following routes:[25]
Media related toICE L at Wikimedia Commons