INTRO: The ability to run at 300 km/h, to climb 4% grades and to operate in several other countries dictated the design parameters for Germany’s third generation ICE. A five-car component test train capable of 360 km/h called the ICE-S will be ready to start a programme of trials in August
BYLINE: Dipl-Ing Heinz Kurz*
BYLINE: *Dipl-Ing Heinz Kurz is chief engineer responsible for the design of fixed formation trainsets in German Railway’s long-distance passenger traffic business sector
AS THE fleet of second-generation ICE2 trainsets enters service on German Railway, preparations are in hand for production of the third generation of this successful family of high speed trains. Evidence that rapid progress is being made takes the form of two test trains, ICE-D and ICE-S. ICE-D consists of a single car inserted in an ICE1 formation which began trials in April. ICE-S is a five-car set due to commence test running during the summer.
Expansion of Germany’s high speed network and plans to provide links to high speed lines in other European countries to form a unified network are important factors influencing the design of the third ICE generation.
Traction performance is largely dictated by the parameters chosen for the new line between K
