>>972635>>DB has brand new ICE setsKek. They are brandnew yes, but the time it took them to get the certification by the federal railway agency(EBA) and to be approved and accepted by DB was a joke.
The EU wide tender (consider
>>972520 explanation) for an additional ICE series began in 2007. In 2008 Siemens was awarded as the winner for it (only other bidder left until the end was Alstom with their offered TGV platform). First units were supposed to get into passenger service in 2011 with all units delivered until 2012. That was the plan everyone agreed on.
In reality the first two units (out of 15+2 units ordered) were delivered in 2013. They had major problems with literally everything. Slow supplier companies working for Siemens, massive problems with the on-board computer software, problems with the safety systems, new regulations by the EU and EBA, problems with the air conditioning, brakes...just to name a few. All in all, it took them an estimated 2900 changes to get them ready for testing(!) and make them conform to all up to date EU and EBA regulations. The last unit was finally assembled in 2014.
Now we have 2016, 8 of 17 units are still missing due to testing for foreign certifications in Belgium and France. The other 9 unit weren't even adjusted anymore (eventhough they are 4 currency trains) with neccessary safety systems and equipment to let them run between Germany, Belgium and France, just for the sake to get them finally running after so many delays. Also they were supposed to be able to couple and run with the predecessors class 403 and 406 (ICE 3, the father of the Siemens Velaro so to say). They also blew this, because they would have to adjust the software systems and begin with all the annoying procedures over again. Siemens and DB said that all ordered units are to be expected in service around 2017/2018, 10 years after they signed the contract!
part 1 (cont.)
