Metropolitan

On August 1 1999, a new express train started its service. The new train is called "Metropolitan", and is operated between Hamburg and the Ruhr area.

(Photo) Matsuura Hiromasa (cackle@cap.bekkoame.ne.jp)

(Photo) oimo

(Photo) Koji Abe

(Photo) M.Kato (showroom@pop16.odn.ne.jp)

1. The Outline of "Metropolitan"
Since the start of ICE service, the ICE network have continued enlarging. But there is no NBS (High speed truck) plan between Hamburg and the Ruhr area, so only a few ICE are operated. And in this section, DB meets serious competition with airlines. By these reasons, DB planed a new type of express train - "Metropolitan".
First, DB established a new subssidiary company, "Metropolitan Train Express GmbH". This company would own passenger wagons for "Metropolitan" and operate them.
"Metropolitan" will be operated by passenger wagons hauled by locomotives. The interior of the wagons is divided in three parts - "Office", "Club" and "Silence"- instead of 1st class and 2nd class. From August 1, "Metropolitan" will start to be operated between Kölm Hbf and Hamburg Hbf.

"Metropolitan" Logo (by Akira Inoue)

2. The Operation of "Metropolitan"
"Metropolitan" will make four round trips between Kölm Hbf and Hamburg Hbf with stops at Düsseldorf Hbf and Essen Hbf. The table below is the "Metropolitan" timetable.

MET938 Hamburg Hbf 06:17 -> 08:52 Essen Hbf 08:56 -> 09:16 Düsseldorf Hbf 09:18 -> 09:42 Köln Hbf Mo-Fr
MET936 Hamburg Hbf 11:18 -> 13:52 Essen Hbf 13:56 -> 14:16 Düsseldorf Hbf 14:18 -> 14:42 Köln Hbf Mo-Fr, Su
MET932 Hamburg Hbf 15:17 -> 17:52 Essen Hbf 17:56 -> 18:16 Düsseldorf Hbf 18:18 -> 18:42 Köln Hbf Mo-Sa
MET930 Hamburg Hbf 19:22 -> 21:54 Essen Hbf 21:56 -> 22:16 Düsseldorf Hbf 22:18 -> 22:42 Köln Hbf Mo-Fr, Su
MET931 Köln Hbf 06:19 -> 06:39 Düsseldorf Hbf 06:41 -> 07:02 Essen Hbf 07:04 -> Hamburg Hbf 09:49 Mo-Fr
MET933 Köln Hbf 11:19 -> 11:39 Düsseldorf Hbf 11:41 -> 12:02 Essen Hbf 12:04 -> Hamburg Hbf 14:43 Everyday
MET937 Köln Hbf 15:19 -> 15:39 Düsseldorf Hbf 15:41 -> 16:02 Essen Hbf 16:04 -> Hamburg Hbf 18:45 Mo-Fr
MET939 Köln Hbf 19:19 -> 19:39 Düsseldorf Hbf 19:41 -> 20:02 Essen Hbf 20:04 -> Hamburg Hbf 22:43 Mo-Fr, Su

From July 1, the test will be started between Kölm Hbf and Hamburg Hbf, and the operation of ICE638/639 "Alster-Kurier" will ended in July 31.

3. The Wagons and Locomotives for "Metropolitan"
A "Metropolitan" train set will consist of a locomotive and 7 passenger wagons. One of the 7 wagons will have a control cab. Two train sets were already built. 14 passenger wagons were built by FTD (Fahrzeugtechnik Dessau), and the interior of them were built by DWH (Deutschen Werkstaetten Hellerau). The body construction of the wagons is similar to that of ICE-2. The trucks were built by FIAT/SIG. The bodies of the wagons are painted in silver, and the interior is divided in three parts - "Office", "Club" and "Silence".
The table below shows the list of the "Metropolitan" wagons.
Class Number Category Seats Smoking Car Number Train Sets FTD Number
Apmz 116.0 70 80 10-95 701-5 Silence 57 N 1 1 997-1
Apmz 116.0 70 80 10-95 702-3 Silence 57 N 1 2 997-2
Apmz 116.2 70 80 10-95 703-1 Silence 57 N 2 1 995-1
Apmz 116.2 70 80 10-95 704-9 Silence 57 N 2 2 995-2
Apmkz 116.6 70 80 85-95 709-8 Office 39 Y 3 1 996-1
Apmkz 116.6 70 80 85-95 710-6 Office 39 Y 3 2 996-2
Apmz 116.4 70 80 85-95 705-6 Office 57 N 4 1 994-1
Apmz 116.4 70 80 85-95 706-4 Office 57 N 4 2 994-2
Apmz 116.4 70 80 85-95 707-2 Office 57 N 5 1 992-1
Apmz 116.4 70 80 85-95 708-0 Office 57 N 5 2 992-2
Apmkz 116.6 70 80 85-95 711-4 Club 39 Y 6 1 993-1
Apmkz 116.6 70 80 85-95 712-2 Club 39 Y 6 2 993-2
Apmbzf 116.8 70 80 80-95 713-5 Club 45 N 7 1 991-1
Apmbzf 116.8 70 80 80-95 714-3 Club 45 N 7 2 991-2
# "N" means "Non-smoking", and "Y" means "Smoking"

Train Composition of "Metropolitan"

Two locomotives of class 101 will be used only for "Metropolitan". These locomotives (101 130-3/131-1) has a special livery. And two locos (101 124-6 / 101 126-1) with 'Verkehrsrot' livery will haul "Metropolitan" when "Metropoltan" locos are inspected.
Please take a look at BR101 page, if you want more detailed information about class 101.

(Photo) Matsuura Hiromasa (cackle@cap.bekkoame.ne.jp)

(Photo) M.Kato (showroom@pop16.odn.ne.jp)

4. The Interior and Service of "Metropolitan"
To compete with airlines, "Metropolitan" has better equipments than that of the business class of aircraft. The interior is divided ion three parts according to passenger's request. The table below shows the feature of each category.
Office For passengers who want to work. read books, and hold a small meeting on board.
Club For passengers (groups, family etc.) who want to enjoy travel. They can watch DVD video.
Silence For passengers who want to spend their time quietly. Audio modules are equipped.

(Photo) M.Kato (showroom@pop16.odn.ne.jp)
(Photo) M.Kato (showroom@pop16.odn.ne.jp)

(Photo) M.Kato (showroom@pop16.odn.ne.jp)
(Photo) M.Kato (showroom@pop16.odn.ne.jp)
For passengers who take "Office" or "Club" can get the service of sending by portable phone. Electric points (220V), small lights (To read books), and call button are equipped to all seat of all categories. And snacks and drinks will be served to all passengers.
All seats need reservement. People can reselve bia some travel agencies, and 'Metropolitan Call Center'. Of course people can reserve by phone and internet. The internet Website will be established soon. The one-way ticket between Hamburg and Köln is 180DM.

This new express train meets a difficulty - the number of passengers aren't enough. Some improvements have done, for exapmle the change of price. But word has got out that "Metropolitan" will be abolished soon.

Back