Deutsche Bahn (DB) has cleared a key hurdle to entering Poland’s rail market, completing certification trials of its Siemens‑built ICE3neo high‑speed trains on the Żmigrod test track, the last step before Polish homologation.
The state‑owned German carrier plans to run the 320 km/h electric multiple units on the Berlin–Warsaw corridor once Poland’s future high‑speed line allows such speeds – potentially after 2035 on the Warsaw‑Poznań section of the “Y‑shaped” network.
DB’s move has reignited debate over a tender for 40 trains capable of above 300 km/h, due by 2027 for the Central Transport Hub (CPK), a planned mega-airport west of Warsaw.
Former CPK chief Mikołaj Wild says early testing could give Siemens an advantage over domestic builders Pesa and Newag, which expected a lower 250 km/h ceiling.
His brother Patryk Wild, vice‑president of lobby group “Tak dla CPK”, echoes the concern, arguing the previous speed limit would have favored Polish suppliers.
CPK vice‑president Piotr Rachwalski disagrees, insisting all manufacturers will compete on equal terms and that local firms could join international consortia because designing a 250 km/h set alone by 2027 would still be out of reach.
DB also intends to deploy ICE3neo stock in France, according to business daily Dziennik Gazeta Prawna. The first units entered German service in 2022.
At 320 km/h the ICE3neo matches France’s TGV and Japan’s production Shinkansen, while Asia’s Shanghai Maglev retains the commercial speed record at 460 km/h.
Before passengers can ride, Poland’s rail regulator must issue homologation – a “rail identity card” certifying the trains meet national safety and infrastructure standards.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio 24