Siemens Builds ICx Trains for Deutsche Bahn

The ICx will be the backbone of the Deutsche Bahn’s future long-distance network.

In May 2011, the German national railway company is concluding a framework agreement with Siemens Mobility for up to 300 trainsets. It is the largest train contract that Siemens has ever won in its more than 160 years of corporate history.

In the initial phase, 130 ICx-type trains have been ordered, and beginning in 2017 they will replace the Intercity and Eurocity fleets put into operation between 1971 and 1991. At a later time, it is planned to replace ICE 1 and ICE 2 vehicles. The ICx will then be responsible for roughly 70 percent of Deutsche Bahn’s interurban transport revenue.

The ICx sets new standards in intercity traffic. A unique train concept has been developed, that means it can be individually adapted to the requirements of various transport tasks. The modular drive concept is based on independent Powercars with identical traction technology, resulting in more flexibility than ever before. High operational availability is guaranteed by a large number of reliable systems with high redundancy.