ICE test train reaches speeds of up to 405.0 km/h

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

What the Record Actually Means

  • Several comments note the train itself isn’t special; ICE sets have hit similar speeds decades ago.
  • The key point: the existing Erfurt–Leipzig/Halle high‑speed line was used without modification, showing the track can safely support ~400 km/h in tests.
  • The test train included a Siemens Velaro Novo prototype car; measurements focused on aerodynamics, acoustics, and interaction between train and track, with export markets in mind.

Speed vs Practical Benefit

  • Amdahl’s law is invoked: marginal speed gains matter little when there are many stops and bottlenecks.
  • Many argue Germany’s problem isn’t top speed but too many stops, mixed traffic, and poor infrastructure.
  • Higher speeds increase track wear, maintenance demands, and energy use; some suggest lower, uniform speeds would improve capacity and efficiency.

Reliability, Capacity, and Maintenance

  • Strong sentiment that German rail has deteriorated: frequent delays, cancellations, overcrowding, missed connections, and long closures for works.
  • Causes discussed: too many trains on too few tracks, political pressure to increase frequency without adding capacity, reduced redundancy after privatization, and delayed expansion projects.
  • Mixed-speed traffic (ICE, regional, freight) on shared tracks causes cascading delays; a late ICE can’t simply “speed up” if it’s stuck behind slower trains.
  • Comparisons: Switzerland praised for its tightly coordinated clock-face scheduling and punctuality; France and Japan cited for largely separate high‑speed networks; Germany seen as combining the downsides.

Pricing and Passenger Experience

  • Long-distance ICE tickets use airline-style dynamic pricing, with wide price swings; some lament loss of simple distance-based fares.
  • Debate over dynamic pricing: more efficient vs. stressful “pricing games” and higher peak costs.
  • ICEs are seen as much more comfortable and convenient than regional trains, justifying higher prices for many travelers.

Public Perception and PR Skepticism

  • Several commenters view the speed record as PR theater while core issues—maintenance, punctuality, and capacity—remain unresolved.
  • Some argue Germans care far more about trains being on time than about breaking speed records.