| ICE-3 |
 Class 406 (Photo) oimo |
| The construction of high speed lines stated in the 1970s in Germany,
and two lines (Hannover - Würzbur, Mannheim - Stuttgart) were completed
until 1991. In 1998 Berlin - Hannover high speed line was completed, and
Köln - Frankfurt high speed line is under construction. (Erfurt -
Nürnberg line was canceled.) The new high speed line needs a developed
version of ICE vehicle. Although the high speed lines Hannover - Wuerzburg, Mannheim - Stuttgart were designed for both passenger and freight trains, they cost too much. After then, it was decided that new high-speed lines would be designed only for passenger trains. The main route between Köln and Frankfurt is the Left-Rhein line (Köln - Bonn - Mainz - Koblenz - Frankfurt). It runs along the Rhein, so it has many curves and trains can run slowly. The new high-speed line between these cities will run through the Rhein valley with lesser curves. It will bring some steep gradients (max. 4%). The former ICE vehicles with concentrated power cars weren't suit to this line. Thanks to the development of AC motors, the maintenance of motors became much easier than ever, and a trainset with distributed power cars reassessed This type is better for passing steep gradients. So DBAG decided to build this type for the new high-speed line. The new generation of this ICE was called "ICE 2.2", and later "ICE 3" - class "403". By the way, there are some different kinds of electric systems in Europe. Austria and Switzerland use the same system with DBAG, but the others use different systems. To go through to these countries, the locomotive need to be changed. To go fast and effectively, DBAG need new vehicles to adapt to some different systems. So some trainsets of "ICE 3" were designed with four electric systems - AC 1500kV 16 2/3Hz / AC 25000V 50Hz / DC 1500V / DC 3000V - and can go through to France, Holland, Belgium and so on. They were called "ICE 3M" - class "406". DBAG ordered 37 sets of class 403 "ICE 3" and 13 sets of class 406 "ICE 3M". NS (Dutch railways) also ordered 4 of class 406. These sets were built by Siemens and Adtranz. A set of class 403 cost about DM 40 millions, and a set of class 406 cost about DM 42 millions. The first set of class 403 completed in fall 1998, and was exhibited at "Eurailspeed 98" in Berlin in the end of October. The building of the "ICE 3" and "ICE 3M" sets still continues. And DBAG has decided to order more 13 sets of ICE3. From 1999 the test started in Siemens's private test line in Wegberg-Wildenrath, the high speed lines (Hannover - Wuerzbug, Berlin - Hannover), and Holland. The third generation of ICE started the service on May 28 2000 as the special trains "EXE" for EXPO 2000 in Hannover. From Autumn 2000, it starts to be oerated as some ICE and EC. From November 15, the regular service started as "ICE International" in Amsterdam - Köln (- Frankfurt) and "ICE" in Bremen/Hamburg - Hannover - München. |
 Class 406 (Photo) Yutaka Okamoto |
| A set of ICE3 and ICE-3M is composed of 8 cars - 4 are
motor-cars, and the others are trailer cars. Usually two sets are coupled
each other, and operated as one train. The set can be coupled even with
ICE-2 / ICE-T / ICE-TD. The coupler between middle cars can be divided
only in the factories. To adapt international standard, ICE3 has a bit
thinner body - 2.95m wide. The length of end cars is 25,675mm, middle cars
24,775mm, and the height is 3,890mm. The total length of a set is about
200m. When two sets are coupled, the length is same with ICE1 or ICE2.
The total weight of an ICE3 set is 409t, and an ICE-3M set is 435t. The
weight per an axle is only 16t (ICE1/2 : 21t). Each motor-car has two motors
with power output 500kW, and the total power output of a set reach 8000kW.
(Under the lines with DC systems, the total power output is 4,300kW) This
high power bring high performance - traction power is 300kN. The maximum
speed is 330kph, and it can run at 300kph in 5% gradient. ICE3 was designed by Neumeister Design, Siemens Design and Design Works. Especially Alexander Neumeister, the chief of Neumeister Design, is famous - ICE-V, Transrapid, and class 500 Japanese Shinkansen are his works. The exterior of ICE3 looks like ICE-T, but it is sharper in both ends. The red stripe go even under the front window in both ends, and big "ICE" logo is painted. ICE3 has 1st class and 2nd class. In the 1st class, seats are aranged in 2+1 row, and in 2nd class in 2+2 rows. The interior can be changed from 1st class to 2nd class, and from 2nd class to 1st class. Behind the driver's cab is the observation deck. The driver's cab and passsenger's deck are divided by glass board, so passengers can enjoy the same sight of the scenery from the front. The glass board normally transparency, but it can chang to be translucent electrically. In the 2nd class, the interior is only open plan, but 1st class has also some compartments. A compartment has 4 or 5 seats. All seats of first class are leather seats, and most seats have personal TV. The seats without TV face each other with a big table. All second class seats are dark blue, and some seats face each other. And each seat of 1st / 2nd classes has some equipment for the handicapped.In each seat, there are some equipment by which passengers can use a personal computer, and enjoy audio programs. Some cars are called "Repeater". In these cars, people can use their own portable telephone more clearly. Lockers are equipped for sightseers. A family room is equipped for each trainset. This room has a space for children playing, a big table, a space for baby car, and so on. The dining car "BordRestaurant". The kitchen is in the middle of this carriage, and the restaurant is in one end with 24 seats arranged in 1+2 rows. The design of the restaurant follows classical style like the TEE dining car.The snack bar is in the other end. In this bar, there are 2 tables and 8 seats. This car has a guard's room. The seating capacity of class 403 is 415 seats (1st class: 141, 2nd class: 250, dining car : 24), and that of class 406 is 404 seats (1st class: 136, 2nd class: 244, dining car : 24). When coupled two sets, the seating capacity is 100 seats bigger than that of ICE1. |
| Train Composition of ICE-3 |
| 403.0 (1) |
403.1 (2) |
403.2 (3) |
403.3 (4) |
403.8 (5) |
403.7 (6) |
403.6 (7) |
403.5 (8) |
| Class | Car No. | Trailar / Motor car | Equipment | Pantograph |
| 403.0 | 1 | Motor with Invertor | 1st class (Open : 49 seats, Lounge: 8 seats) | - |
| 403.1 | 2 | Trailar with Transformer | 1st class (Open : 32 seats, Compartment : 14 seats), W.C | AC |
| 403.2 | 3 | Motor with Invertor | 1st class (Open : 32 seats, Compartment : 14 seats), W.C | - |
| 403.3 | 4 | Trailar | "BordRestaurant", W.C, Phone | - |
| 403.8 | 5 | Trailar | 2nd class (Open : 46 seats), Family Room (6 seats), W.C, Equipment for the hadicapped | - |
| 403.7 | 6 | Motor with Invertor | 2nd class (Open : 68 seats), W.C | - |
| 403.6 | 7 | Trailar with Transformer | 2nd class (Open : 68 seats), W.C | AC |
| 403.5 | 8 | Motor with Invertor | 2nd class (Open : 50 seats, Lounge 10 seats) | - |
| 406.0 (1) |
406.1 (2) |
406.2 (3) |
406.3 (4) |
406.8 (5) |
406.7 (6) |
406.6 (7) |
406.5 (8) |
| Class | Car No. | Trailar / Motor car | Equipment | Pantograph |
| 406.0 | 1 | Motor with Invertor | 1st class (Open : 38 seats, Lounge: 8 seats) | - |
| 406.1 | 2 | Trailar with Transformer | 1st class (Open : 30 seats, Compartment : 14 seats), W.C | AC (Germany, Austria) |
| 406.2 | 3 | Motor with Invertor | 1st class (Open : 32 seats, Compartment : 14 seats), W.C | DC |
| 406.3 | 4 | Trailar | "BordRestaurant", W.C, Phone | AC (Swiss, France, Belgum) |
| 406.8 | 5 | Trailar | 2nd class (Open : 46 seats), Family Room (6 seats), W.C, Equipment for the hadicapped | AC (Swiss, France, Belgum) |
| 406.7 | 6 | Motor with Invertor | 2nd class (Open : 68 seats), W.C | DC |
| 406.6 | 7 | Trailar with Transformer | 2nd class (Open : 66 seats), W.C | AC (Germany, Austria) |
| 406.5 | 8 | Motor with Invertor | 2nd class (Open : 46 seats, Lounge 10 seats) | - |
| Class | 403 | 406 |
| Built Number | 37 sets | 17 sets (DB: 13 setsANS: 7 sets) |
| Built Year | 1999 | 1998 |
| Length | 200m | 200m |
| Length of End Car | 25,675mm | 25,675mm |
| Length of Middle Car | 24,775mm | 24,775mm |
| Height | 3,890mm | 3,890mm |
| Width | 2,950mm | 2,950mm |
| Length between Axles | 17,375mm | 17,375mm |
| Weight | 409t | 435t |
| Weight per Axlel | 16t | 16t |
| Motor | Three-phase Asnchronous Motor | Three-phase Asnchronous Motor |
| Break System | Regenerative / Linear eddy-current / Pneumatic disc break | Regenerative / Linear eddy-current / Pneumatic disc break |
| Maxium Speed (AC) | 330km/h | 330km/h |
| Maxium Speed (DC) | - | 220km/h |
| Power Output (AC) | 8,000kN | 8,000kN |
| Power Output (DC) | - | 4,300kN |
| Tranction Power (at start) | 300kN | 300kN |
| Power Source (AC) | 15000V / 16 2/3Hz | 15000V / 16 2/3HzA25000V / 50Hz |
| Power Source (DC) | - | 1500V, 3000V |
| Capacity | 415 Seats | 404 Seats |
| The Operation of ICE3 |
| ICE-3 started its service on 28 May 2000. Until Autumn ICE3 are operated
as "EXE" and "ICE" which run between Hannover Messe
/ Laatzen (Nearby station of Expo2000) and some cities like Amsterdam,
Basel, Köln, München, Frankfurt. From the end of October, some EC which connect Amsterdam and Germany were operated by ICE-3M. On 5 November, the ICE timetable changed, and "ICE International" service started between Köln - Amsterdam. Daily 7 doubbletrips are operated, and it needs about 2-hour-40-min travel time. EuroCity trains 14X and 15X were replaced with ICE. For "ICE International", ICE-3M units owned by DBAG and NS are used. In the end of 2002, a new high-speed line between Frankfurt and Köln, and "ICE International" will be operated between Frankfurt and Amsterdam at the maximum speed of 300 kph. The domestic operation also started in the Autumn. ICE in the line Hamburg / Bremen - Hannover - München are now operated by ICE3 units instead of ICE2. |
| In the page below, you can enjoy some pictures of "ICE International" regular service at Amsterdam CS. |
| ICE3-NS starts commercial operation |
| DB Homepage |
| The ICE/ICT pages by Tobias Köler |
| Peter's Homepage by Peter Schokkenbroek |
| Eisenbahn-Review 9/1999 |
| BAHN EXTRA "Bahn-Jahrbuch '99" by GeraNova |
| Back |