ICx High Speed Train Order for DB

[Chafford1]

From Railway Gazette:

http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/db-and-siemens-sign-icx-contract.html

DB and Siemens sign ICx contract

09 May 2011

GERMANY: A multi-billion euro contract for the supply of up to 300
high-speed trains was signed by DB Chief Executive Dr Rüdiger Grübe
and Siemens AG CEO Peter Löscher in a ceremony on May 9. The event
took place at DB’s Potsdam training centre – the former Kaiserbahnhof
– and was attended by Federal Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer.
The 8 000-page framework contract envisages a firm order for 130 ICx
trainsets which will be confirmed ‘immediately’, plus a further 90
sets to follow; the order value for the 220-train deal is put at
‘around €6bn’. DB also has an option to order another 80 sets ‘at any
time’ during the validity of the framework contract, which runs to
2030.
DB says the ICx will form the backbone of its long-distance passenger
fleet in the future, with its ‘innovative platform concept’ providing
a high level of flexibility despite a high degree of technical
standardisation. There will be a mix of self-contained motored cars
and trailers which can operate in different combinations to suit
specific applications. The railway has already identified up to 24
different train configurations.

The initial order will cover two main variants. The first is a seven-
car formation with three powered vehicles, giving a seating capacity
of 499 passengers and a maximum speed of 230 km/h. These will be used
to operate the bulk of DB’s IC network, replacing locomotive-hauled
trainsets.

The second variant is a 10-car train with five power cars and 724
seats. These will have a top speed of 249 km/h. These will replace the
existing ICE1 and ICE2 trainsets, which currently operate at up to 250
km/h. DB says it will continue to use its ICE3 trainsets on those few
routes which have maximum speeds greater than 250 km/h.
Both ICx variants will have a restaurant and bistro car, plus a family
area and space for up to eight bicycles. Each 200 m long train will be
around 20 tonnes lighter than the ICEs it will replace, offering a 30%
saving in energy consumption per passenger.
Assembly of the first trains is expected to start in 2013, with two
pre-production trainsets to be delivered in 2016. These sets will
undertake 14 months of trial operation, including 12 months in revenue
service before series production begins. The series fleet will then be
phased in line-by-line.

Meanwhile, Siemens has awarded a framework contract to Bombardier to
support the ICx project, which Bombardier says is worth €1·3bn for the
initial 130 trains and €2·1bn for the combined order for 220. This
includes work on the aerodynamic optimisation. Bombardier will supply
all of the bodyshells for the ICx fleet from its Görlitz plant, whilst
the driving vehicles will be assembled at Hennigsdorf. Bombardier is
also to supply Flexx Eco unpowered bogies for the trailer cars from
its Siegen facility.

The new Siemens ICx train design is here:

http://www.mobility.siemens.com/mob...ity-trains/icx/Pages/icx.aspx?stc=wwimo100161

 

[jopsuk]

Ooh, the video is top quality corporate cheese. Subtle use of the union flag fluttering among those of other countries the page copy says the train will be compatible with.

 

[ainsworth74]

Ooh, the video is top quality corporate cheese.

It really is brilliant isn't it, a full minute (out of just over two) before it actually becomes apparent that the video is related to railways!

 

[route:oxford]

So when are they placing the order for the next generation of XC stock?

 

[gordonthemoron]

oh dear, the 7 car formation is way smaller than the IC sets they will replace and the 10 car sets are 2 coaches smaller than an ICE1 or doubled up ICE2. Plus, the top speed of ICE1/2 is 280km/h, not 250, although that may be the highest that they normally travel at.

 

[mumrar]

So when are they placing the order for the next generation of XC stock?

TOCs can't just order new stock for a franchise, and there would be little point in doing so as the build probably wouldn't be complete before the XC franchise expires, and potentially DB no longer operate it.

 

[Rhydgaled]

Why can't they design good looking trains anymore? These look a bit better than the ICE-3 but the ICE-1 and ICE-2 are much better looking still.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Why can't they design good looking trains anymore? These look a bit better than the ICE-3 but the ICE-1 and ICE-2 are much better looking still.

actually they look hideous, even worse than the ICE-T and about as bad as the Driving Trailer of an IC
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
just noticed, the coaches are 28 metres long, that's rather big

 

[WestCoast]

Why can't they design good looking trains anymore? These look a bit better than the ICE-3 but the ICE-1 and ICE-2 are much better looking still.

The ICE3s look the best of the lot to me; the newer versions (and the latest model) are nowhere near as stylish! Infact, I'd go as far as to say that the Siemens Velaro ICE3 model is one of the best high speed trains for style, it beats various TGV models and some of those over-the-top Shinkansens.

 

[Via Bank]

CONTROVERSIAL OPINION: It actually looks rather handsome. The "eyelashes" around the headlights are a bit dodgy, yes, but the nose looks superbly angular.