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| Green light for the world's most modern train  Up to 30 percent less energy consumption - Weight reduction of 20 tons - Improved aerodynamics - Power cars enable flexible configuration of trainsets - CEOs of DB and Siemens, Dr. Rüdiger Grube and Peter Löscher, sign contract in the presence of Federal Minister of Transport Dr. Peter Ramsauer and Chairman of the DB Supervisory Board, Professor Utz-Hellmuth Felcht.The negotiations have been completed and the contract has been signed: Siemens will build up to 300 new ICx trains to be used in revenue service on the long distance routes of Deutsche Bahn. Worth several billion euros, it is the largest contract in Siemens corporate history. As the world's most modern train, the ICx will be in revenue service for DB as from 2016. Deutsche Bahn AG and Siemens AG today officially signed the multi-billion euro contract for construction of up to 300 new long-distance trainsets. The signing took place at the DB Akademie in Potsdam, in the former Kaiserbahnhof. DB will immediately order 130 trainsets from the framework order agreement valid until 2030. An order of an additional 90 trainsets is planned. The potential order volume for the 220 trainsets totals some six billion euros. DB can order the remaining 80 trainsets at any time. The ICx will form the backbone of DB's long-distance transportation system in the future. The technical basis for the ICx is an innovative platform concept. However, it also incorporates tried-and proven components already successfully used in assorted fitting and equipment variants in other train series around the world. Despite technical standardization of the vehicles themselves, the ICx provides a high level of flexibility for assembling up to 24 different train configurations. This is made possible by "power cars, " train cars equipped with all the components that drive units have. As a result, the trains can be easily adapted to the volume of passengers and level of performance required. In addition, the platform concept ensures considerably lower maintenance and service costs. This will make it possible to identify improvement potential early on. The contract parties also agreed on a seven-month monitoring phase during which the data from the trainsets in operation will be fed directly back to Siemens. In addition, Siemens and DB will for the first time define joint milestones in the design and production phase that must be unanimously approved. The first ICx trainsets are expect to enter into service in 2016. The new trains will be commissioned by line. Use of ICx trainsets for transportation in Germany will be given priority over neighboring European countries. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Construction News :: home page |