Siemens Velaro

What it is

The Velaro is the high-speed electric multiple-unit family of Siemens Mobility, the Siemens AG subsidiary headquartered in Munich. It grew out of the ICE 3, the train developed with Bombardier for Deutsche Bahn and in service since 2000. Siemens carries the same trainset concept to operators abroad under its own Velaro name. The first member, the Velaro E for Spanish operator Renfe, was ordered in 2001 and delivered in 2005 as the AVE Class 103.

How it works

The Velaro is a pure multiple unit rather than a locomotive-hauled train. Traction equipment and technical modules sit under the floor along the whole train, leaving the full length above the floor for passengers. The standard set is eight cars and 200 metres long; Siemens quotes around 8 MW of traction output and top speeds of up to 350 km/h, depending on the version. Electrification and signalling are adapted to each customer’s network, from European ETCS to Russia’s KLUB-U system. Bodies and interiors are adapted per customer: the Russian Sapsan runs on 1,520 mm broad gauge, the Chinese CRH3 is wider still, and Egypt’s version is built for heat and sand.

Why it stands out

In July 2006 a Velaro E reached 403.7 km/h between Guadalajara and Calatayud, a run Siemens presents as a record for an unmodified series-production train. Commercially the logic differs: rather than build a bespoke fleet for each operator, Siemens sells a proven design with modular changes, often with maintenance attached. Siemens describes the Velaro as the world’s most versatile high-speed platform.

Where you meet it

Renfe’s Class 103 covers the 625 kilometres from Madrid to Barcelona in less than two and a half hours. China ordered 60 CRH3 sets in 2005 for Beijing to Tianjin. Russian Railways has run ten-car Sapsan trains between Moscow and St Petersburg at up to 250 km/h since 2009. Eurostar’s e320, a 400-metre sixteen-car set, has crossed the Channel since November 2015. Turkish State Railways has ordered nineteen Velaro TR sets since 2013, the last twelve in 2018 and 2019. Egypt has ordered 41 eight-car sets for a new network. Deutsche Bahn has run the Velaro-based ICE 3neo since December 2022, and the next iteration, Velaro Novo, is planned for the United States.