- ICE 2
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ICE 2 
ICE 2 on the Nuremberg-Ingolstadt high-speed railway lineManufacturer Adtranz, Siemens Constructed 1995 to 1997 Refurbishment 2010 to 2013 Number built 46 Formation 1 power cars,
7 intermediate carsFleet numbers Tz 201 to 244 Capacity 391 seats Operator DB Fernverkehr Depot(s) Berlin-Rummelsburg Specifications Maximum speed 280 km/h (170 mph) Weight 412 t Power output 4,800 kW Electric system(s) 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC Safety system(s) Sifa, PZB90, LZB Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge This article is about the train. For the Bridgman form of water ice, see Ice II.
The ICE 2 is the second series of German high-speed trains and one of five in the Intercity-Express family since 1995.
The ICE 2 (half-)trains are even closer to a conventional push-pull train than the ICE 1, because each train consists of only one power car (Class 402, called powerhead), six passenger cars (Classes 805 to 807) and a cab car (Class 808).
Contents
Differences to ICE 1
ICE 2 powerhead with opened coupling cover
ICE 2 cab car
Controls in the driver's cabExcept for the automatic coupling, ICE 2 powerheads are very similar to those of the ICE 1 and can actually be used in ICE 1 trains if strictly necessary.
Half-trains
Usually two ICE 2 half-trains are coupled to form a block train of similar dimensions to the original ICE 1 for serving the main routes, and separated again to operate on routes with less traffic or to provide the passengers two different destinations.
Until the class 808 cab cars have been tested and cleared for passenger service, two ICE 2 half-trains had been solidly coupled to form a permanent block train.
Cars
The passenger cars are very different from the ICE 1 cars, despite their similar exterior: The weight has been significantly reduced and the passenger compartments have been removed in favor of a seating arrangement similar to an airliner (due to reduced seat pitch). Also, the train has been equipped with air suspension to circumvent the wheel noise problems of the ICE 1, which led to the installation of rubber-buffered wheel rims on the ICE 1 units and therefore the Eschede train disaster.
ICE 2 trains have no service car as the class 803 on ICE 1 trains, on the other hand the class 808 cab car is unique to the ICE 2.
Service
ICE 2 trains usually run on the main east-west line, starting in Berlin with two unit block train. In Hamm the train is separated into two half-trains.
One half-train goes through the Ruhr area to Cologne Bonn Airport, while the other half-train continues through Wuppertal and Cologne to Bonn. In the opposite direction, both half-trains are coupled again at Hamm.
Some trains also serve the Munich—Hanover line with halves continuing to Hamburg and Bremen respectively.
Eurotrain
The Eurotrain demonstration train at Munich-Laim on 4 April 1998.Main article: EurotrainEurotrain was a joint venture formed by Siemens and GEC-Alsthom (today Alstom) in 1996 to market high-speed rail technology in Asia. In 1997, it was one of two competitors to supply the core system of Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), and was awarded the status of preferred bidder by concessionaire THSRC.[1]
In early 1998, the two companies created a demonstration train by combining cars of three existing French and German high-speed trains: ICE 2 powerheads 402 042 and 402 046, were joined at both ends to the articulated double-deck intermediate cars of TGV Duplex trainset #224. On 4 May 1998, the Eurotrain demonstration train made a presentation run on the Hanover–Würzburg high-speed railway in Germany, achieving a maximum speed of 316 km/h.[2][3]
In December 2000, THSRC decided to award the contract to the rival Taiwan Shinkansen Consortium,[1] leading to a legal battle[4] ending in damage payments for Eurotrain in 2004.[5][6]
Future
DB will replace the ICE 2 trains with the future ICx trains.[7]
References
- ^ a b "Editorial: THSRC agreement unprincipled". Taipei Times. 2000-01-30. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2000/01/30/0000022103. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
- ^ "Weitere ICE-Züge" (in German). Website über die schnellsten Züge der Welt. http://www.hochgeschwindigkeitszuege.com/germany/index_weitere_ice_zuege.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- ^ "TGV Research Activities". TGVweb. http://www.railfaneurope.net/tgv/images/research/index.html. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- ^ "Eurotrain appeal rejected, might go international". Taipei Times. 2000-06-17. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2000/06/17/40382. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
- ^ "Eurotrain Consortium v. Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation". Analysis Group. http://www.analysisgroup.com/cases.aspx?id=212. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ "Taiwan High Speed Rail to compensate railway consortium". Taipei Times. 2004-11-27. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/11/27/2003212715. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
- ^ "DB and Siemens sign ICx contract". Railway Gazette International. 9 May 2011. http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/db-and-siemens-sign-icx-contract.html.
External links
- ICE 2 Siemens Page
German ICE Class Trainsets run in Germany (ICE) Export trainsets (Velaro) Classes of German EMUs and battery railcars BR number: 401 | 402 | 403 | 403 alt | 406 | 407 | 410 | 411 | 415 | 420 | 421 | 422 | 423 | 424 | 425 | 425 alt | 426 | 426 alt | 427 | 427 alt | 428 | 430 | 440 | 442 | 450 | 465 | 485 alt | 490 | 491
Older, pre-1968 classes: ET 11 | ET 25 | ET 26 | ET 27 | ET 31 | ET 41 | ET 51 | ET 55 | ET 65 | ET 82 | ET 85 | ET 90 | ET 91 ("Gläserner Zug")Battery railcars: 515 | 517 | ETA 150 | ETA 176 | ETA 178 | ETA 179
S-Bahn EMUs:
Berlin: 475 | 476 | 477 | 480 | 481 | 485 | ET 125 | ET 165 | ET 166 | ET 167 | ET 168 | ET 169 | ET 170 | 270Hamburg: 470 | 471 | 472 | 473 | 474 | ET 99 | ET 170 | ET 171
Categories:- Electric multiple units of Germany
- Deutsche Bahn locomotives
- InterCityExpress
- 1995 introductions
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