Danish State Railways (DSB) has unveiled the first of its brand-new Talgo 230 intercity trains. These state-of-the-art trains are set to revolutionise journeys between major Danish cities like Copenhagen and Aarhus, with the potential to extend their reach to international destinations like Hamburg, Germany.
Built by Spanish rolling stock manufacturer, Talgo, the trains boast a top speed of 230 kilometres per hour (143 mph) and an operational speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). it is expected the improved speed will improve journey times between key cities in the region.
The Talgo 230s will also improve sustainability and carbon reduction due to its design. The lightweight design and the technological platform it is built on means trains consume up to 30% less energy compared to industry standards. Additionally, 95% of the train's structure is recoverable, minimising waste and promoting sustainability.
The new trains were initially configured for push-pull operation, but the manufacturer confirmed that the trains can be easily adapted to include locomotive-hauled configurations, allowing for better operational flexibility and swift turnaround times.
This adaptability was already demonstrated during the project, where the total coach count was increased by 15% with minimal impact on deployment.
DSB CEO Flemming Jensen said: "The receipt of the first carriages is a milestone in the most extensive transformation of DSB's train fleet ever. In the coming years, the aging, primarily diesel-powered trainsets will be replaced by modern electric and more climate-friendly trains.
“With the high focus on comfort on international journeys, we get a significantly more attractive product for the enjoyment of our customers, while at the same time creating coherent public transport in Denmark and abroad,"
The unveiling of the Talgo 230s is part of a larger investment in modernising Denmark's railway infrastructure. This project is part of a larger framework agreement with Talgo, encompassing three separate orders for a total of 16 trains. The first order, placed in 2020, included 8 trains. In 2021, DSB increased the capacity of these trains by 10%, and in 2023, an additional order for 8 more trains was placed.
Photo Credit: DSB/Talgo
