The engineering trade-off that makes a train both lighter and more accessible

Society · Published 9 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: To solve the problem of heavy railway carriages, engineers looked to a unique Spanish design. By using single-axle bogies, the ICE L achieves a lighter weight than standard trains while maintaining a continuous floor height for universal accessibility. It is a masterclass in balancing physics with public utility.

The ICE L is a long-distance push-pull train manufactured by the Spanish company Talgo for Deutsche Bahn. Its defining technical feature is the use of single-axle bogies to connect the articulated cars. While standard trains typically use double-axle bogies at the ends of carriages, the ICE L utilizes a single-axle design for most of its length, with double-axle bogies only at the very ends of the set. By using this layout, the 425-tonne weight of the 256-meter train is achieved, which is marginally less than that of a compact seven-car ICE 4.

This weight reduction is critical for managing axle loads, as individual cars in the Talgo design are shorter than typical railway carriages to prevent excessive pressure on the tracks. Despite this specialized construction, the train maintains a consistent floor height of 76 cm throughout. This specific measurement is one of the standard European platform heights, ensuring step-free access and passage for passengers across Germany and the Netherlands. The 'L' in the train's name specifically stands for 'low-floor entry,' highlighting this commitment to accessibility.

The project has faced significant logistical hurdles, including production delays for the DB Class 105 locomotives caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To keep services running, Siemens Vectron locomotives were leased from NS International. Furthermore, the train's propulsion system was updated from a proprietary Talgo system to the ÖBB Wire Train Bus (WTB) push-pull system, a strategic move that allows the trainsets to be hauled by various locomotives rather than being restricted to a single model. The first units are scheduled to enter service in late 2025, primarily on domestic routes between Berlin and Cologne.

The economic scale of the project is also notable. The initial framework contract for 23 trains cost around 550 million euros, making each unit significantly cheaper than a standard ICE. Yet, the overall quantity ordered has fluctuated; despite a May 2023 purchase of 56 extra sets for 1.4 billion euros, September 2025 talks indicated the 79-unit total might drop to 60.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Germany's high-speed rail flagship was born from a record-breaking experimental train
• How a high-speed train mastered the physics of vertical growth
• How a Spanish train platform became the backbone of regional rail across the globe
• The bi-mode train that narrowly avoided a high-speed collision
• How a tilting train helped Sweden master its winding railway geography
• How railways prevent collisions using a logic system older than the lightbulb
• The Hiawatha: How a 90-Minute Commuter Train Became a Political and Economic Battleground
• The Keihin–Tōhoku Line: A Vital Artery Connecting Tokyo, Yokohama, and Saitama's Urban Centers
• How a Japanese mountain railway conquered steep slopes using Swiss-inspired engineering and switchbacks
• The Tokyo railway line that was never intended to carry a single passenger
• The Hokkaido lifeline facing a high-speed future and uncertain bus routes
• The versatile Japanese railcars that traveled from rural Japan to Southeast Asia

More in Railways · More in Society · Latest · A–Z · All topics