THE first ICE 3neo high-speed train to feature German Rail’s (DB) new interior design entered service on October 23, making its first journey in revenue service between Frankfurt main station and Cologne.
DB says that the first of 74 ICE 3neo trains being supplied by Siemens Mobility with the new interior entered service three months earlier than originally planned. Siemens is building a total of 90 ICE 3neo trains for DB under a framework agreement concluded in July 2020.
The new interior is intended to provide a “living room feeling at 300km/h,” according to DB, featuring entirely new seats that are designed to offer passengers a personal retreat and increased levels of comfort, with an integrated tablet holder and coat hooks on each backrest.
The new interior features a “harmonious combination” of modern materials, wood decor and seat covers made of high-quality fabric with 85% wool content. Seat covers are in warm grey tones in first class, blue in second class and burgundy in the onboard restaurant.
As well as on the ICE 3neo, the flagship of its high-speed fleet, DB says it is now rolling out a new design language across its long-distance passenger business, including at travel centres and station lounges.
The new train interior design will also be applied to the 79 ICE L trains ordered from Talgo, the first of which is due to delivered at the end of 2024. The entry into service of the ICE L and ICE 3neo trains by 2030 will reduce the average age of DB’s ICE and IC fleet from 18 years at present to 12 years.
“With the new interior design of the trains, we are raising travel comfort in long-distance transport to a new level,” says Dr Michael Peterson, DB board member for long-distance passenger transport.
“With newly-developed seats, more privacy and a modern materials and colour concept, we are bringing a living room feeling to the rails at 300km/h for our passengers.”
“We delivered the first trains of the ICE 3neo fleet at record speed, and now we are increasing the pace further,” says Siemens Mobility CEO, Mr Michael Peter.
“From November onwards, a complete eight-car ICE 3neo will roll out of our factory in Krefeld every 16 days.”
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