Train passengers had to wait a long time for new locomotives and cars in long-distance service, but on September 23, 2015, there was finally movement in the next generation IC trains. The bi-level ICs (IC2) from Bombardier were given preliminary authorization by the EBA. On these new locomotives and cars there was now shuttle train compositions, consisting of a class 146.5 (TRAXX P160 AC2) electric locomotive as well as five bi-level cars, type TWINDEXX 2010. The interior features of the cars sparkle with a modern level of equipment and comfort. The five-part bi-level set offers seating for 465, 70 of which are in 1st class. Twenty-seven trains were placed into service, which are run as units with the numbers 2850-2876. They are used chiefly on the IC Lines 35 (Norddeich - Emden - Münster - Düsseldorf - Cologne - Koblenz), 55 (Dresden - Leipzig - Hannover - Cologne), and 56 (Leipzig - Magdeburg - Hannover - Norddeich).
Prototype: German Railroad, Inc. (DB AG) type DBpbzfa 668.2 IC2 bi-level cab control car, 2nd class, for long-distance service. Light gray long-distance service paint scheme with traffic red decorative striping, in the current IC design. Train route: IC 2045 from Cologne to Dresden Main Station. Car position number 1. The car looks as it did in 2020.
Highlights
The minimum radius for operation is 360 mm / 14-3/16". There is a low entry between the trucks. The car has factory-installed LED interior lighting on both levels and a current-conducting, operating close coupler on the end of the car without a cab. The car has a lighted train destination display on the end above the cab and it can be turned off separately in digital operation. The car has lighted train destination displays on the sides. The interior lighting and the train destination displays on the sides can be turned on and off digitally in conjunction with the other bi-level intermediate cars with the decoder in the cab control car. A fixed, defined sequence of cars is assigned to do this. Triple headlights and dual red marker lights change over with the direction of travel and can be controlled separately in digital operation. Long-distance headlights can also be controlled separately in digital operation. The light changeover, interior lighting, and the train destination displays on the sides will work in conventional operation. A standard coupler can be used on the cab end of the cab control car by removing a piece of skirting, thus allowing a locomotive to be coupled to it. There are red transparent marker light inserts at the end of the car without a cab. The car has prototypical Görlitz design trucks.
Length over the buffers 29.2 cm / 11-1/2".
| DCC | SX2 | SX | MFX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight(s) | * | * | ||
| Long distance headlights | * | * | ||
| Train destination sign | * | * | ||
| Interior lights | * | * | ||
| Engineer's cab lighting | * | * |
