ICE S

ICE-S
ICE-S on the Nuremberg–Munich high-speed line in 2005
Power type	electric
Builder	Siemens, DWA, AEG, Adtranz
UIC classification	original composition: Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo'+2'2'+Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo' current composition: Bo'Bo'+2'2'+Bo'Bo'
Locomotive weight	325 t
Top speed	~400 km/h (250 mph)
Power output	powerheads: 2×4,800 kW powered carriages: 2×2,000 kW
Delivered	1996

ICE S is Deutsche Bahn's testing train for high-speed tests. The "S" stands for Schnellfahrtzug, which is German for high speed train. It replaced the InterCityExperimental (ICE V).

History

The train was originally used to test components during the development of the ICE 3 in the mid-1990s. The powerheads were taken from the ongoing production of the ICE 2 with only minor modifications. Two of the three original carriages had 500 kW traction motors on each axle, resulting in an impressive overall power output of 13,600 kW. When testing was completed, both these powered carriages were retired.

After the ICE V was retired, the ICE S became the testing train for the maintenance of the high-speed lines. Three times a year, the train runs on each line with an array of sensors and cameras to determine the line's condition. During the acceptance tests of new high-speed lines, the ICE S is usually the first train to drive the line at design speed and beyond.

While testing bogies for DB and Japan Rail, the train achieved a speed of 393 km/h on 13 July 2001, which is the highest speed driven on German rails since the InterCityExperimental's land speed record campaign in 1988.

External links

• ICE-S Versuchs- und Erprobungszug von Siemens Adtranz und DB AG (fan site)