Siemens Velaro - DB Class 403/406 (DB ICE 3)

DB Class 403/406 (DB ICE 3)

ICE 3 is a family of high-speed EMUs of Deutsche Bahn. It includes classes 403 and 406, which are known as ICE 3 and ICE 3M respectively. Two different classes were developed: the Class 403 (domestic ICE 3) and the Class 406 (ICE 3M), the M standing for Mehrsystem (multi-system). The trains were labelled and marketed as the Velaro by their manufacturer, Siemens. Four multisystem trains, known as ICE International, are operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways).

Siemens developed its Siemens Velaro based on the ICE 3M/F. The Velaro also runs in Spain, China and Russia. From late 2011, the latest generation of the Velaro has also been running in its home country, Germany.

Class 406

The ICE 3M (Class 406; M for multisystem) was developed to operate international services under the four different Railway electrification systems in use on Europe's main lines and with support for various train security systems. The Deutsche Bahn (DB) ordered 13 of these units in 1994, the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) four, making sure that the demands of the Dutch rail network are taken care of. Though these trains carry NS logos, the DB and NS trains together form a pool and therefore the NS trains may operate DB services also. As of 2007, the train is licensed for operation in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Currently those trains are used for cross-border runs between Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France. On the French LGV Est some trains reach a regular top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph).