DB says an independent Swiss engineering company has already completed
a comprehensive safety study for the submission, and this provides
evidence that the 200m-long trains are safety-compliant when operating
both singly and in pairs.

ice-eurotunnel.jpgA second evaluator has also carried out evacuation simulations, while
evacuation tests were carried out in the tunnel last October using a
pair of trains.

DB says it is confident it will receive IGC clearance by the end of the
summer. DB will soon apply for safety certification for the tunnel,
which will be followed by extensive trial and licensing runs. If
approved, the trains will begin operating London - Amsterdam/Frankfurt
services in 2013.