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Siemens – 2010 – High speed trainset ordered in DE, UK, TK
The
Velaro D is the last high speed train family of Siemens which takes over the
ICE 3M/F high-speed trains, built in 1999. The name Velaro appeared for the
first time in 2001 for exportation, when Spain's RENFE ordered the ICE 3, known
as Velaro E, for their AVE network. Russia (Velaro RUS) and China (Velaro CN)
ordered also the train of Siemens, characterized by the external design of the
ICE 3.
The
Velaro D is the last conception of Siemens, built since 2010 with a new design
of the nose, less tapered than the ICE 3. He is specifically designed for DBAG
international services from Germany and it is designated Class 407. The train
is expected to use up to 20% less energy than a ICE 3, and it is designed to
run at speeds up to 320 km/h. The main characteristic is his conception based
on the most recent specifications of interoperability (TSI).
The Velaro D is a multiple-unit trainset in which the traction and all the
technical modules are distributed underfloor over the length of the train.
Thus, the full length of the train is available to the passengers, offering 20%
more room than other train concepts. The Velaro D of DBAG is a eight cars trainset
with 460 seats allocated on 200m. This Class 407 trains can couple up and work
with their predecessors ICE 3 to form a 400m trainset.
The first three completed cars were presented
on 22 September 2010 at InnoTrans, Berlin. Due to a series of delays in
manufacturing and licensing, the first full trainsets were delivered only in
2013 and entered in service for domestic traffic in December.
Eurostar created a big surprise in October
2010 when the now British company announced that Siemens was the preferred
bidder for provide 10, and now 17 trainsets Velaro D. This created a malaise in
France when it seemed taken for granted that the TGV of Alstom
stayed the preferred. Due to the specifications of the Channel tunnel, the
Velaro of Eurostar has a length of 395m with 16 cars. Comparing with the Class
TMST 373, this Velaro is a “continental” sized train in line with TSI,
named Velaro UK e320, which can receive 900 passengers. The Eurostar e320
has eight pantographs on its roof for dealing with the different power systems
and contact line types in Europe. The corresponding national automatic train
control systems and ETCS are also installed. As a multisystem trainset, it is
capable of navigating the High Speed One (HS1) line in Great Britain, the
Channel Tunnel, and lines in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. For
operation in the 50 kilometer-long Channel Tunnel, the Eurostar e320 also
complies with the strict guidelines laid down in the Eurotunnel Network
Statement as well as the special structural requirements for operation in the
tunnel. This Velaro is expected to run in service in December 2016, particulary
between Amsterdam and London via Brussels, at the end of a (too) long period of
test.
The third operator who ordered 17 Velaro is
TCDD, the Turkish State Railways, in 2013. The agreements also contained up to
a seven-year maintenance agreement including spare parts and the delivery of a
driving simulator. This Velaro TR is a eight cars trainset for 300km/h and
which can receive 516 passengers. For the Velaro TR, the interior was
restructured, and the restaurant area was adjusted to the TCDD’s demanding
catering design. Furthermore, the Velaro TR is designed as a pure 25 kV single
system vehicle. First trainset entered in service in 2014 between Ankara and
Istambul (Pendik), but the high speed line is not fully completed.
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