Deutsche Bahn order additional TWINDEXX Vario double-deck Intercity trainsets

Deutsche Bahn AG (DB) has ordered a further 25 TWINDEXX Vario double-deck Intercity trainsets from Bombardier Transportation.

The trainsets consist of 25 Bombardier TRAXX locomotives and 124 Bombardier TWINDEXX Vario double-deck intercity cars, and the order is based upon two framework agreements signed in 2008 and 2013.

This is good news for passengers, who will benefit from greater comfort through ergonomic seats and adjustable headrests, larger luggage spaces and stronger signals for mobile phones.

“The signing of the contract for 25 new Intercity 2 trains is an important milestone in our long-distance transport campaign, which will expand our service by 25% by 2030,” said Birgit Bohle, Chair of the Management Board of DB Long Distance. “With the new vehicles, we offer our customers a particularly comfortable and reliable travel in long-distance traffic.”

Equipped with the European Train Control System, ETCS BL3 (Level 2), the trainsets will be homologated for cross border traffic in Germany and Switzerland. An extended maintenance data transmission system will support optimised service inspections and each five-car trainset will be pulled by a third-generation TRAXX AC3 locomotive fitted with sophisticated concepts to maximize energy savings in operation.

“We are pleased that DB relies on our modern and proven double-deck trainsets to further expand its mobility services in different regions,” said Michael Fohrer, Managing Director of Bombardier Transportation Germany. “Thanks to the single-car platform concept, these new TWINDEXX Vario cars are fully compatible with previous models, which provides maximum flexibility in operation.”

The first batch of 27 five-car, long-distance, loco-hauled trainsets is already in successful operation on several routes in Germany and delivery of the 25 trainsets is scheduled to start in 2019. In total, more than 2,500 TWINDEXX Vario cars and close to 900 TRAXX locomotives are operated by DB.