Overview
- The ICE L began running between Berlin and Cologne in mid-December with Vectron locomotives pulling the trains instead of the built-in drive cars.
- Deutsche Bahn says the Talgo traction and control cars lack regulatory approval, and the timeline for certification remains open.
- Using the rented locomotives caps maximum speed at 200 km/h rather than the intended 230 km/h, with longer journey times reflected in timetables.
- The operator states all planned connections continue as scheduled, with deployments scheduled next year on Berlin–Hamburg–Westerland from May and routes from North Rhine-Westphalia to Westerland and the Allgäu from July.
- Four trainsets are to be delivered by year-end with nine more expected next year, part of a 79-train order that was originally slated to start delivery in 2024.