InterCityExperimental
Encyclopedia
The Intercity Experimental, later renamed ICE V, was an experimental train for research into high-speed rail
. It is the predecessor of all Intercity-Express trains.
had been operating InterCity
trains at up to 200 km/h (124.3 mph) since 1973. The following year, research into even higher speeds began. At the DB works in Munich-Freimann, a workgroup called Forschungsgruppe Rad-Schiene was founded to evaluate the feasibility of high-speed traffic on conventional rail systems.
After several trials with conventional locomotive-pulled trains and the construction of a roller dynamometer
test bench capable of reaching speeds of up to 500 km/h (310.7 mph), it was decided in September 1982 to build a trainset, with the locomotives permanently fixed to the carriages, to evaluate the specific concept of such a train.
The cost of construction was split between the Federal Ministry for Research
(61%), the DB (17%) and the involved companies (22%).
The trainset consisted of two Class 410 powercars, built jointly by Krupp
, Krauss-Maffei
and Thyssen
-Henschel
and three unpowered intermediate cars, of which two were built by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
and one by DUEWAG
and Linke-Hofmann-Busch. The powercars weighed 78 tons each and had a maximum output of 3,640 kW
. They were mostly based on the DB Class 120
locomotives developed earlier, but had been equipped with an aerodynamic outer hull and a corporate identity livery.
The train was delivered in 1985 and was used mainly for testing purposes for the new Intercity-Express trains and as a showcase train. It set the new land speed record for railed vehicles
on May 1, 1988, at 406.9 km/h (252.8 mph), which remained unsurpassed until 1990.
The delivery of the ICE 1 powercars (now called Class 401), based on those of the ICE-V started in 1987. After that, the train was mainly used for material evaluation. The train was retired in 1998 and its powercars and cars were placed on exhibition at various sites. It was replaced by the ICE S.
High-speed rail
High-speed rail is a type of passenger rail transport that operates significantly faster than the normal speed of rail traffic. Specific definitions by the European Union include for upgraded track and or faster for new track, whilst in the United States, the U.S...
. It is the predecessor of all Intercity-Express trains.
History
Deutsche BundesbahnDeutsche Bundesbahn
The Deutsche Bundesbahn or DB was formed as the state railway of the newly established Federal Republic of Germany on September 7, 1949 as a successor of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft '...
had been operating InterCity
Intercity (Deutsche Bahn)
Intercity is the second-highest train classification in Germany, after the ICE. Intercity services are loco-hauled express services, usually over long-distances. There are Intercity routes throughout Germany, and routes generally operate with a two-hour frequency, with multiple routes giving a more...
trains at up to 200 km/h (124.3 mph) since 1973. The following year, research into even higher speeds began. At the DB works in Munich-Freimann, a workgroup called Forschungsgruppe Rad-Schiene was founded to evaluate the feasibility of high-speed traffic on conventional rail systems.
After several trials with conventional locomotive-pulled trains and the construction of a roller dynamometer
Dynamometer
A dynamometer or "dyno" for short, is a device for measuring force, moment of force , or power. For example, the power produced by an engine, motor or other rotating prime mover can be calculated by simultaneously measuring torque and rotational speed .A dynamometer can also be used to determine...
test bench capable of reaching speeds of up to 500 km/h (310.7 mph), it was decided in September 1982 to build a trainset, with the locomotives permanently fixed to the carriages, to evaluate the specific concept of such a train.
The cost of construction was split between the Federal Ministry for Research
Federal Ministry for Education and Research (Germany)
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is a ministry in the German cabinet. It is headquartered in Bonn, with an office in Berlin.-Functions and Responsibilities:...
(61%), the DB (17%) and the involved companies (22%).
The trainset consisted of two Class 410 powercars, built jointly by Krupp
ThyssenKrupp
ThyssenKrupp AG is a German multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Duisburg Essen, Germany. The corporation consists of 670 companies worldwide. While ThyssenKrupp is one of the world's largest steel producers, the company also provides components and systems for the automotive...
, Krauss-Maffei
Krauss-Maffei
The Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co KG or simply Krauss-Maffei is an injection molding machine manufacturer and defence company based in Munich, Germany...
and Thyssen
ThyssenKrupp
ThyssenKrupp AG is a German multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Duisburg Essen, Germany. The corporation consists of 670 companies worldwide. While ThyssenKrupp is one of the world's largest steel producers, the company also provides components and systems for the automotive...
-Henschel
Henschel & Son
Henschel & Son was a German company, situated in Kassel, best known during the 20th century as a maker of transportation equipment, including locomotives, trucks, buses and trolleybuses, and armoured fighting vehicles and weapons....
and three unpowered intermediate cars, of which two were built by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm was a German aerospace company formed as the result of several mergers in the late 1960s. Among its best-known products was the MBB Bo 105 light twin helicopter...
and one by DUEWAG
DUEWAG
The DUEWAG AG was one of Germany's major manufacturers for rail vehicles. The business was sold in 1999 to Siemens transportation.- History :The company was founded in 1898 as Waggonfabrik Uerdingen AG in Uerdingen...
and Linke-Hofmann-Busch. The powercars weighed 78 tons each and had a maximum output of 3,640 kW
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
. They were mostly based on the DB Class 120
DB Class 120
The DB Baureihe 120 is a class of electric locomotives operated by DB Fernverkehr in Germany.-Background and design:The locomotives' prototypes, delivered in 1979 , were one of the first electric locomotives with three-phase motors. They were based on experiences made in the 1970s with...
locomotives developed earlier, but had been equipped with an aerodynamic outer hull and a corporate identity livery.
The train was delivered in 1985 and was used mainly for testing purposes for the new Intercity-Express trains and as a showcase train. It set the new land speed record for railed vehicles
Land speed record for railed vehicles
Determination of the fastest rail vehicle in the world varies depending on the definition of "rail".Official absolute world record for conventional train is held by the French TGV...
on May 1, 1988, at 406.9 km/h (252.8 mph), which remained unsurpassed until 1990.
The delivery of the ICE 1 powercars (now called Class 401), based on those of the ICE-V started in 1987. After that, the train was mainly used for material evaluation. The train was retired in 1998 and its powercars and cars were placed on exhibition at various sites. It was replaced by the ICE S.