DBAG Class 402

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DBAG Class 402 (ICE 2)
DBAG Class 402 (ICE 2)
ICE 2 powerhead at Berlin-Grunewald
Power type electric
Builder Adtranz, Siemens
Build date 1995—1997
Total production 46
UIC classification Bo'Bo'
Length 20.56 m
Total weight 77.5 t
Electric system 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC
Top speed 280 km/h
Power output 4,800 kW
Tractive effort 200 kN
Safety systems Sifa, PZB90, LZB

Deutsche Bahn's Baureihe 402 EMUs, better known as ICE 2, supplement the InterCityExpress fleet since 1995.

ICE 2 powerhead with opened coupling cover
ICE 2 powerhead with opened coupling cover
A double ICE 2 unit on the Nuremberg-Munich high-speed rail line
A double ICE 2 unit on the Nuremberg-Munich high-speed rail line

The ICE 2 trains are even closer to a conventional push-pull train than the ICE 1, because each train consists of only one locomotive (called powerhead), six cars and a cab car. However, two ICE 2 trains can be coupled to form a train of similar dimensions to the original ICE 1.

ICE 2 trains usually run on the main east-west line, starting in Berlin with two coupled units. In Hamm, the train is separated. One half of the train goes through the Ruhr area to Cologne Bonn Airport, while the other half continues through Wuppertal and Cologne to Bonn. In the opposite direction, both trains are again coupled at Hamm. Some trains also serve the MunichHanover line with halves continuing to Hamburg and Bremen respectively.


ICE 2 cab car
ICE 2 cab car

Except for the automatic coupling, ICE 2 powerheads are very similar to those of the ICE 1 and can actually be used in ICE 1 trains if necessary. The other cars are very different from the ICE 1 cars, despite their similar exterior: The weight has been significantly reduced and the passenger compartments have been removed in favor of a seating arrangement similar to an airliner. Also, the train has been equipped with air suspension to circumvent the wheel noise problems of the ICE 1, which led to the installation of rubber-buffered wheel rims on the ICE 1 units and therefore the Eschede train disaster.


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