Deutsche Bahn (DB) has opened its extended vehicle hall at the ICE maintenance plant in Berlin-Rummelsburg, providing additional space for its latest trains.
Around 200 million EUR was invested in the expansion, which has extended the five-track hall by 200 metres. This will enable trains up to 400 meters long, such as the XXL ICE 4, or two shorter vehicles to be maintained on one track.
“We are investing in new trains at a record level. In the next year alone we will receive an average of three new ICE trains - every month. With the extended vehicle hall in the ICE plant in Berlin, we are creating urgently needed workshop capacities for our growing long-distance transport fleet. After all, fast and efficient maintenance is essential if our passengers are to travel more reliably and comfortably on climate-friendly rail.”
Alongside extending the vehicle hall, DB has created larger material stores and additional treatment facilities for ICE and IC trains. These enhancements have increased the maintenance capacity at the site by around 30 percent.
In addition, a photovoltaic system has been installed on new roof, and nesting aids for birds and bats have been incorporated.
More than 850 employees currently work at the Rummelsburg plant, but by 2025, this team is expected to grow by around 120 additional specialists.
All series from the ICE 1 to ICE 4 can be maintained at this plant, and it will also service the new ICE L in the future. DB will therefore continue to expand the site, with more than 200 million EUR allocated to new parking facilities and the renewal of another vehicle hall.
This work is part of DB’s wider investments in its facilities, as by 2030, the group will be investing more than two billion EUR in the construction and expansion of plants to improve punctuality and quality of the ICE and Intercity trains.
