Inter-City Express (ICE)

Top Speed on high speed track	174 mph, 280 km/h
Top Speed on conventional line	125 mph, 200 km/h
Speed Record	255 mph, 408 km/h
Best Average Speed	125 mph, 200 km/h

Introduction

The ICE project started in the 1980s and the first ICE was the inter-city experimental, which gained a speed record over 400km/h which held the world record for a train for a short period. After that since 1991 the Inter City Express (ICE) has been a high speed train for Germany, not quite as fast as the TGV but still reaching speeds of 174mph. In 1996 starting the 2^nd generation, same top speed although an improved design.

Dedicated high speed lines

Just like in France, the ICE runs on its own dedicated high speed lines, the main one running from Fulda to Hannover, with a small section of line between Ulm and Frankfurt. Speeds up to 280km/h or 174mph can be achieved. In 1999 the 3^rd generation of ICE will be introduced which will be capable of 330km/h or 205mph. However in service it is likely that it will be limited to 300km/h or 186mph. This will be for the Berlin-Hannover line currently being built.

Off high speed lines

Most ICE services run on existing conventional railway lines, where it can cruise at a maximum of 200km/h or 125mph. However this is dependent on how curved the line is. Connections go to Munich, Berlin and Hamburg with Hannover being the central with the high speed line.

Diesel ICEs

Also in 1999 The ICE VT will be a diesel electric train designed to give high speed services to the non-electrified sections of existing lines. the ICE VT will reach 200km/h or 125mph, again this reinforces the idea the upper limit for the Diesel is 200 km/h. The only other high speed diesel currently in existance is the British Inter City 125

Tilting ICEs

There will in 1998 this year be introduced 230km/h or 143mph ICE tilting trains which will be used for services on conventional track, again increasing speeds because they will be able to take curves faster than conventional trains. (See: Tilting Trains)

Average Speed

Between Fulda and Wuzburg the train averages a speed of 200km/h or 125mph the fastest in Germany. This puts German in 5th place for fast rail services, just before Spain, and just after the UK. This is noticably low, since France's fastest services is at 254km/h or 158mph between Lille and Roissy Charles de Gaules airport. One of the reasons for this is the large number of tunnels in the german high speed lines, about 34% of the main Fulda-Hannover route is in tunnels. Trains are limited in speed when in tunnels since if they go too fast the resulting pressure changes can blow out windows. By comparison high speed lines in France have no tunnels at all, meaning full speed can be achieved for a lot longer. (See: All about high speed lines)

Travelling on the ICE

I have travelled on the ICE twice. It is the most luxurious high speed train I have ever travelled on, it makes the TGV seem like a rather dull train in an aircraft style. One could be fooled that the seating in standard class was first class seating! Also there are places to hang up coats, leg room is plentiful and the train ride is very comfortable. If only it had the speed of the TGV! Seating can be reserved or you can just show up and buy the ticket on the same day.