The new NIM Express rolling stock has arrived, there where it should be: on the (high speed) line Nürnberg – Ingolstadt – München (NIM). This means testing of the new trains built by Škoda Transportation can now be done at full speed under representative conditions. An update about one of Germany’s fastest regional trains.
At the NIM Express line speeds up to 300 km/h are possible. Many IC and ICE trains use it since its full opening in 2006. But there is also one regional train, operated DB Regio: the München-Nürnberg-Express. Rolling stock used for this express train are intercity coaches repainted in the red livery of DB Regio, including three driving trailers, pushed/pulled by 101 series electrics.
After completing an EU tender process, the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (BEG) decided to award DB Regio with a new contract for the period of 2016-2028 for the ‘Ringzug West/NBS’ concession, which includes the regional train on the NIM line. It was also decided to order new rolling stock with a higher capacity; Škoda Transportation from the Czech Republic got the contract to build six 200 km/u-fast double deck trains for the new NIM Express, ready for revenue service in December 2016.
This deadline was not met. First real test runs with the Škoda trains have started last week (July 2017) and it is unclear when exactly the 109E series locomotives and the specially developed double deck coaches will enter service.
But, as stated, the trains are now test running on the line where they should be, on the NIM line in Germany. This is an important next step after the trains were evaluated intensively at the VUZ Velim test center in Cerhenice (CZ) and after the arrival of the first rolling stock in Germany in March 2017. In total, six locomotives (DB series 102) are on order, that each will be coupled to six double deck coaches (five intermediate cars and one driving trailer). Their top speed in normal service will be 189 km/u.
Both Deutsche Bahn and our loyal fans have been making pictures of the new trains recently, which we want to show you here:
Related posts:
[DE] Škoda announces: NIM express in service in June 2019
[DE / Expert] NIMimum delay: New Škoda Express trains enter service in Bavaria in 2020? [updated]
[DE] In the picture: The NIM Express on troublesome tests (yes, again)
[passenger] BEG announces Isar-Noris-Altmühl tender = the end of the fast Skoda trains in Germany
