Deutsche Bahn (DB) has christened its 100th ICE 4 as part of the company’s ten billion EUR investment in expanding its long-distance high-speed fleet.
The 100th ICE 4 is a 13-car XXL-ICE. The train has been christened with Rhine water from the state capital and is named ‘Rheinland-Pfalz’, after the German federal state.
“The 100th ICE 4 marks an important milestone in the largest fleet expansion programme in the history of DB. For new trains, more comfort and many additional seats, we will invest ten billion euros by 2029. What makes me personally particularly happy: With the 'ICE Rheinland-Pfalz', my home state stands for the future of the railways.”
As part of the expansion programme, DB will receive a total of 137 ICE 4 trains in different configurations, with an ICE 4 train delivered every three weeks.
This expansion includes 50 13-car XXL ICE trains, which each offer almost 1,000 seats.
In addition, Deutsche Bahn is already operating 50 12-car ICE 4 trains and 19 of the 37 ordered 7-car trains.
“It is the declared goal of this federal government to expand rail to become the backbone of a climate-friendly transport system. In order to convince even more people to travel by train, we need punctual, clean and comfortable trains with sufficient space. In order to be more punctual and reliable, we are currently modernising the network to an unprecedented extent. Massive investments are also being made in rolling stock. A new ICE 4 is currently strengthening the fleet every three weeks. The fact that we can christen the 100th train here today is a really good sign for all passengers.”
To further improve the reliability of the 12 and 13-car ICE 4 trains, Deutsche Bahn is also increasing their top speed from 250 to 265 kilometres per hour.
