ON TRACK FOR THE MILLENNIUM - A NEW GENERATION OF HIGH-SPEED TRAINS

New trains are emerging to meet new requirements, while the European high-speed rail networks are being harmonised to ensure free international access for freight and passenger trains. Rail authorities and the European rail industry are collaborating closely to tight schedules to meet strict operational and technical requirements. One of the latest results of this harmonisation programme is the ICE3 intercity express trains built by the Siemens-Adtranz consortium. In 2000, scheduled services will begin with the new ICE3 single-system trains in Germany and Austria, and with the new ICE3 four-system trains across the European continent. They have to be able to run at speeds up to 330kph and handle 4% gradients, but also be able to run, at lower speeds, on sections of upgraded track and older lines. Thus the ICE3 has drive rating 20kW/t, compared with 10kW/t for the ICE1. Major parts of the 1996 European Union (EU) Directive on interoperability have been incorporated into the ICE3. The ICE3 is also designed to achieve a high standard of passenger comfort. Conventional high-speed trains require special or upgraded track, but tilting trains can run at high speed on conventional as well as special track. Siemens has developed both electric and diesel ICT tilting trains for speeds up to 250kph.