Siemens has said it plans to deliver four more ICE 3 trains to Deutsche Bahn (DB) by the end of March while unveiling the first of its new high-speed train fleet in Frankfurt.
The rolling stock manufacturer held a joint press event with DB in the city today (February 18) to show off its next-generation ICE train.
Siemens is building a total of 17 Series 407 trains for Germany’s national rail operator and in December 2013, the ICE 3 was eventually cleared by the German Federal Railway Authority (EBA) to operate in the country.
Testing is still underway in France and Belgium to gain approval for cross-border operation.
The first eight ICE 3 that have already been delivered will start to enter passenger service in April, initially on the Cologne-Frankfurt (Main)-Stuttgart line.
In a statement ahead of today’s event, Andreas Busemann, head of production at DB Bahn Long Distance, said: “Above all, the new ICE 3 offers our customers a real plus when it comes to service and comfort.
“Passengers can keep informed about the train’s progress on the new overhead monitors, and comfortably dine in the full-sized onboard restaurant with 16 seats while traveling through Germany at speeds of up to 300 kilometers an hour.
“In addition, the Series 407 scores with lower energy consumption and higher technical reliability.”
The new ICE 3 trains include a modified nose and, although still only consisting of eight cars, it will boast additional capacity to existing ICE trainsets.
