GERMAN Rail (Deutsche Bahn DB Vertrieb GmbH) has announced the launch of an Intercity Express (ICE) rail service from Europe to London by 2013.
Speaking at the German Travel Mart (GTM) in Cologne, DB head of product management and target markets, Oliver Haferbeck, said there would be three return ICE services a day, starting in December 2013, between London and Frankfurt (via Lille, Brussels and Cologne); as well as three return ICE services a day between London and Amsterdam (via Lille, Brussels and Rotterdam). Travel times between Frankfurt and London will be about five hours; between Cologne and London four hours; between Rotterdam and London three hours; and between Amsterdam and London less than four hours.
A new ICE class 407 high-speed train, due to enter service in Germany next year, will be used on the London route. DB has ordered 16 of these 320kph trains, which will complement the 60 international ICE trains, especially on trips through the Eurotunnel, from the end of this year.
