Record run: New high-speed train reaches 405 km/h in central Germany!

Record run: New high-speed train reaches 405 km/h in central Germany!

In an impressive test, Deutsche Bahn, together with Siemens, recently tested its new high-speed train, the Velaro Novo, on the route between Erfurt and Leipzig/Halle. The train reached an incredible 405 km/h, which is a new record for this route. Loud heise.de A middle car with the latest measuring technology was used, which was pulled by an ICE locomotive. The Velaro Novo is not yet in regular operation, but the tests are of great importance for the future renovation and maintenance of high-speed routes.

Philipp Nagl, head of the rail infrastructure subsidiary DB InfraGO, emphasizes the relevance of these test drives. The existing ICE trains are based on previous generations of Velaro, which can technically reach speeds of over 300 km/h, while the ICE 4 is capped at a maximum of 265 km/h. Unfortunately, these speeds are rarely achieved due to the short distances between stations and an overloaded rail network.

New record sets standards

The route between Erfurt and Leipzig was opened in 2015 and is designed for high speeds, explained spiegel.de. To date, the highest documented speed on this route was around 333 km/h. Considering the speed of 405 km/h that has now been achieved, it becomes clear how important continuous technical development is.

But Deutsche Bahn's plans go beyond test trips. A recent study published by the German railways, addresses the comprehensive expansion of high-speed transport in Europe. The goal is to create a “Metropolitan Network” by 2050 that will connect two thirds of Europeans and expand the existing infrastructure from 11,000 to an impressive 32,000 kilometers.

Green goals and challenges

In order to support the EU Commission's “Green Deal” goals in transport, Deutsche Bahn plans to double high-speed transport by 2030 and even triple it by 2050. An analysis shows that all 230 European metropolitan regions and larger cities should be connected to the HGV at least every hour. The construction and modernization of a total of 21,000 kilometers of rail network is necessary to make the transport network even more efficient.

The successes demonstrated by the new Velaro Novo underline the urgency of these projects. But to achieve these goals, significant investments are necessary. The railways involved plan to involve politicians in the discussions in the autumn in order to push forward the necessary network expansion.