German high speed train travel combines velocity, punctuality, and comfort. Racing at rates up to 300 km/h or 186 mph, the trip is a thrill as you fly through the countryside.
German High Speed Train – Lightning Velocity
When visitors think of speed, the autobahn comes to mind. A trip on a German high speed train leaves Deutschland’s famous highway in the dust. Intercity Express (ICE) trains achieve the greatest velocity. Below are the fastest ICE routes:
Germany introduced high speed electric train technology at a 1965 International Transport Fair achieving 200 Km/h speeds between Munich and Augsburg. The technology continues to evolve with a recent a Siemens-Deutsche Bahn deal to upgrade the German high speed train technology with ICx models in 2014. ICx trains are 30% lighter, reducing energy consumption per customer while maintaining high speeds.
German High Speed Train – Dependable Punctuality
The clock rules in Germany. Its citizens start meetings and open stores exactly on time. The 1,100 average passenger trains, arriving and departing each hour, receive the same punctuality expectation. Deutsche Bahn utilizes technology and precise planning to meet the expectations of 1,950 million annual passengers. DB installed complementary clocks to count the seconds and minutes for the customer in during rare times a train is late.
German High Speed Train – Rolling Comfort
Beneath the wheels of a racing German high speed train are concrete track beds. Germany shifted from gravel beds in 1980 to improve speed, safety, and comfort. Cushioned passenger cars tilt on curves, minimizing rocking. Inside, passengers discover comfortable seats and plenty of leg room. Amenities, like Wi-Fi and café service, are available. It is tough not to close your eyes and nap, as the landscape blurs by.
German High Speed Train – Rail Adventure
The excitement of roaring down the track as the countryside blurs by is an added benefit of riding a German high speed train. The best example is the 166 kilometer route between the historic city of Nuremberg and festive Munich. Imagine zooming through 9 Bavarian tunnels at speeds up to 300 Km/h. Some of the ICE passenger cars display an odometer. As the numbers rapidly rise, and the pulse beneath the seat purrs, passengers are in for a special treat.
Rather than jamming into an airline seat, or spending the day in the car, consider the rail system. When riding on a German high speed train, time is on your side.
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Written by Mark F. Weber
I am an international business professor in Pittsford, NY who managed a business unit for a German company. My passion is family and friends, plus roaming the countryside on my road bicycle.