Deutsche Bahn to invest in new generation of trains

The head of Deutsche Bahn has said the company plans to invest billions of euros in a new generation of trains. Hartmut Mehdorn told German weekly Focus that Deutsche Bahn will replace its current stock of Intercity (IC) trains with 300 new locomotives between 2014 and 2024. Negotiations on the multi-billion-euro deal will begin in the first half of 2009.

Mehdorn said the plans were clear proof that the rail company was continuing to invest and guarantee jobs despite the economic crisis.

Deutsche Bahn has also ordered 15 new high-speed Intercity-Express (ICE) trains for EUR 500m (USD 670m), to be delivered in 2011 and 2012, Mehdorn said.

These trains belong to the new generation of ICE's which have a new axle construction, he said.

According to Deutsche Welle, Deutsche Bahn has had difficulties with recent versions of the ICE, in particular the ICE-T, manufactured by German industrial giant Siemens, and the ICE-3, constructed jointly by Siemens and Canada's Bombardier.

Source: Transportweekly