Each set will comprise a locomotive, one first-class coach, three
intermediate second class vehicles and a second class driving trailer,
accommodating a total of 469 passengers, 70 of them in first class.

Electrical sockets will be provided at each seat and the vehicles will
be equipped with wireless repeaters to provide better reception for
mobile phones. DB says the seat pitch will offer legroom at least
equivalent to that found on existing ICE trains, and for the first time
a designated space will be provided for up to 10 bicycles.

db-dd2.jpgThe trains will enter service from late-2013 and will be the first
inter-city double-deck vehicles in the DB fleet, although DB Regio
already operates a fleet of around 2000 Bombardier double-deck coaches.
The coaches will be assembled at Bombardier's Görlitz plant in eastern
Germany, with Siegen supplying the bogies. The locomotives will be
assembled in Kassel.

The coaches are part of a framework deal signed in December 2008, while
the locomotives are being produced under a framework deal signed in
2000.