The success of the IC3
Posted: 6 June 2007 | | No comments yet
At the beginning of April 2007, one of the first DSB IC3 train sets reached a historic landmark. It has been recorded that train set MF 5010 has clocked up five million train kilometres since 1990 – a distance which is the equivalent to 125 journeys around the Earth or 15,193 journeys between Copenhagen and Århus. Even though DSB is well renowned for exploiting its rolling stock in an efficient way, never before has the company’s rolling stock clocked up so many kilometres in such a short time.
At the beginning of April 2007, one of the first DSB IC3 train sets reached a historic landmark. It has been recorded that train set MF 5010 has clocked up five million train kilometres since 1990 – a distance which is the equivalent to 125 journeys around the Earth or 15,193 journeys between Copenhagen and Århus. Even though DSB is well renowned for exploiting its rolling stock in an efficient way, never before has the company's rolling stock clocked up so many kilometres in such a short time.
At the beginning of April 2007, one of the first DSB IC3 train sets reached a historic landmark.
It has been recorded that train set MF 5010 has clocked up five million train kilometres since 1990 – a distance which is the equivalent to 125 journeys around the Earth or 15,193 journeys between Copenhagen and Århus. Even though DSB is well renowned for exploiting its rolling stock in an efficient way, never before has the company’s rolling stock clocked up so many kilometres in such a short time.
The creators of the IC3 missed out on its success
The IC3 train is a result of Danish design and good craftsmanship, which was developed in close cooperation between DSB and Scandia. It is based on thoroughly tested principles from DSB’s earlier generations of express trains as well as new solutions.
The creators of the IC3 train, engineer Niels Tougaard Nielsen and architect Jens Nielsen, both died at the beginning of the 90s, much too early to experience the major changes for the Danes, which came about by the introduction of the IC3 train and the fixed Great Belt link.
Today, 18 years after the introduction of the first train sets, DSB has initiated a major renovation of the IC3 train, preparing it for the many requirements which it will have to meet when it takes over the Zealand regional train services.
Easy to join and separate
The name IC3 was chosen because it was manufactured for InterCity services and because the train consists of three joining coaches, two engine cars and a middle car, totalling 58.82 metres. The IC3 train is mostly known for its characteristic rubber nose and automatic coupling, which makes it possible to couple up to five train sets and join IC3 and IR4 trains in one single train. The two rolling stock types, which differ in many essential points, including propulsion, have similar controlling systems, rubber front and automatic coupling. Once the coupling occurs, the driver pushes the driver’s desk and chair to the side, thus enabling a passage between the train sets.
New and tested principles
In combination with the length and weight of the train sets, the automatic couplings constitute three factors which determine the success of the train. The IC3 train was originally constructed with a view to quickly transfer passengers on the railway ferries, crossing the Great Belt, the Baltic Sea and the Sound, thus avoiding the expensive and cumbersome shunting at the harbours. Similar to the Silver Arrows, as the former express trains from 1963 were known, the car bodies were built in light weight aluminium, and similar to the three coach express trains from 1953, the car bodies have common bogies. This ensures that the weight and maintenance costs are kept at a low level.
The IC3 train is split up into three smaller units and most technical installations have been joined below the car with a view to increase accessibility and facilitate maintenance.
At the beginning, the train sets did 50,000 kilometres between smaller inspections. Today, the interval between the inspections has increased to 75,000 kilometres, because the IC3 trains are so reliable.
Economical operations
A train set weighs 97 tonnes and its four 8-cylinder engines performs 1,600 horsepower. With its low weight, the considerable horsepower and the efficient transmission result in an economic fuel consumption and rapid acceleration. For instance, the IC3 train uses less gas oil per kilometre than the 27 tonnes lighter MR train. At the moment, DSB’s Train Set Division is rebuilding the IC3 trains. The trains will be fitted with new water cooling engines, which meet some of the toughest environmental requirements, and entail a significant reduction in the emission of particles and smoke gasses. At present, the work shop has rebuilt 35 of the 96 train sets and the work is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
About the author
Peder Nørregaard Jespersen is Director of Train Sets and Maintenance at DSB. His career at DSB started in 1974 and he has held many positions in operations, traffic planning, technical management and maintenance management. He is responsible for preparation and availability of locomotives and passenger coaches. He is also an expert in train components and maintenance service for external customers in Denmark and abroad.
