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Today, we are taking a trip on the new IC2 Twindexx trains, which do not have a good reputation among German rail travelers. As the train is basically just a regional train with a different livery and a carpet, is it up to the excellent reputation for comfort of the rest of the German ICE or IC fleet? That’s what we’ll explore in today’s video.
Train type: IC2 Twindexx (Br 146)
Route: (Emden Außenhafen) – Bremen Hauptbahnhof – Hannover Hauptbahnhof – (Cottbus Hauptbahnhof)
Train: IC2431
Distance: 122km
Journey time: 1h4m
Average speed: 114km/h
Price: From 13€
35 Comments
I don't think the trains are bad, but they are not an IC1 alternative. I think the way DB uses them is ok. However, the software problems with the Twindexx platform run through the entire product and are unacceptable. I would have liked to see a Regiojet introduced like the CD, but this would have required Europe-wide tenders. And this is where the problem lies. The Twindexx were there, the Viaggio or similar were not.
ICs also have more to do with the distances between stops, and yes, the 160km/h are concept-related, as we don't have the NMBS Dostos, which can run at 200km/h. With 200km/h the discussion would also be different. I think the seat quality is good for what they are. I don't understand why something like this is used in cross-border traffic, especially because there is no ETCS. At the end of the day, however, they aren't FV trains, but rather something like an Interregio.
In Luxembourg we run similar Doubledeckers on your local lines (CFL) – from your video i see why the expectation for long distance travel was not met.
No seat reclining function means no sleeping, and the small overhead luggage storage tells every train enthusiast AND long-distance traveler that this is a normal "city bus" pressed in "cross-country" service – capacity of tre network was most likely a major factor for the operational choices made.
It sparks a "meh" reaction.
don't compare an IC to ICE but instead to other IC
I think it's OK. Could be better especially more luggage racks and seats should be same as ICE though. It's more expensive than RE because IC is not subsidised, it is a private service by DB.
This is no Intercity train. This is an overpriced regional train, painted in a highly dirt-sensitive colour scheme.
Aaaah the 2431 and 2432 are the only long distance trains serving Cottbus…and my home town of Lübben.
This train can be used between Bremen and Hannover as well as between Potsdam and Cottbus with a normal regional ticket^^
A beautiful train. I wish we had these in the UK! The Germans don't know how lucky they are! They should try the trains we have to use in the UK. Hitachi and CAF rubbish.
0:03 hello Hannover, my Hometown
2. Class is very bad on this Train. The Ridequality is not IC like.
Honestly, apart from the lack of a restaurant car, it is actually pretty good
I like the IC2 trains. Solo seats in 1st class, a smooth ride and no compartmens are nice for me as a passenger.
Its so funny when a english speaker speaks german
Im from Germany
Excellent video my friends 😊fantatic 😮like 👍🏻 and Greeting 🙋 from Argentina 🇦🇷
Annother issue with these only five coaches long trains is that you can (for technical reasons I have never understood) neither add additional coaches nor couple two train sets together.
the only good thing about this crap is if you book smart won't have to pay anything and ride for free and that's totally legal!!
Thanks for your video! I like the IC 2, I took it today on a two hour journey from Rostock to Berlin. Yes, it‘s not as comfortable as an ICE, but it‘s good enough. The only thing I missed was a Dining Car/ Bistro. I‘ve more experience on the slightly different Stadler KISS IC 2 which I like a bit more than the Twindexx. And there you have at least the vending machines in the „Reisecafé“. 😁
well, since people complained so much, here in the south they put ICE trains everywhere, where ic1 used to run. Ofc for full ICE price… Bit sad that is.
2:26 that's an ICE T (stands for "tilting train – tilt mechanic isn't as stable as expected, therefore deactivated.
Its not bad if you see it for what it is: A (better) regional train.
Its not bad, thats the whole thing. Its just bad for what DB wants it to be.
I mean the train is bad for long distance services, but DB is actively trying to improve its reputation … by buying the even worse Talgo units, that are even branded as ICE . 🤦♂
10:27 The train is too close to regional trains.
This is what next generation of RE trains should be, not IC.
They are better than the Dutch IC-trains, like the DDZ and vIRM.
Nice NOHAB at 9:32
You didn’t mentioned reclining seats. Are they reclining or not ? This is one of the important quality for long distance journeys.
What is DB doing with the class 101s if these new trains are to be hauled by newer locos?
Interesting to see but after the classic IC rakes (fair enough, some of the stock is probably getting long in the tooth), hauled by a 200km/h capable 101, these new sets do smack of glorified Regio trains. (That being said, the replacement of Corail coaches here in France by some of the more modern offerings isn't much better except the new trains offer level boarding).
Why are the luggage racks in the middle of the carriage instead of more at both ends? And since most people are not standing at their seats, they should lower the overhead rack so it would fit at least a carry-on like on airplanes
They really brought 20 year old trains from Czechia ("CityElefant") and called them new.😂
i like them because i live along a line where standard commuter tickets are valid for these type of trains, as they alternate with actual regional express trains for a de-facto hourly service. i wouldn't be happy to use them though if i had to pay a premium
The amenity people need, is having a seat. These trains have more seats, hence they are better. "speed" comes from not stopping at minor stations.
Found your channel a month or so ago after seeing you in a @milesintransit video! I found out I will be moving to Germany in June of next year because of my partner's work so I have been watching all of your German train videos now 😅 Coming from the US, so anything is an upgrade from the rail we have here lol. I also dabble in some Transit content with my friend Chris on @TransitTangents. Thanks for all of the great content!
Eh, I think they're fine. I actually much prefer these seats over the bucket seats in the ICE2 (1st class). IDK if I'm just too tall for those seats, but I can either ignore the backrest entirely or sit in a terribly slouched position which gives me back pain after 30 minutes. The IC2 (or any other DB train for that matter) does not have this problem.
8:20 that's NOT accessible boarding. Some people
like mecannot sit in their wheelchairs for 2 hours. You need a normal seat with it to transfer. That's a bike carriage with toilet and a wheelchair symbol.basically these days u pay more for less speed, service and reliability
6:10 The Name "Verden" also has a large similarity to the word "Pferden" (a declension of "Pferd" – horse, like "zu den Pferden" – "to the horses"), however the name was derived from "ford" or "ferry" (maybe because the Aller mouths into the Weser nearby), but it's in fact also called "Reiterstadt" – Equestrian Town because there's a lot of horse breeding and riding in that area, so a quite funny coincidence.
The Coat of Arms of Verden itself has only a cross, but that of the State of Lower Saxony has an iconic white horse (and Hanover-based Continental also a prancing horse (they produced rubber-dampeners that were put between horses' hoofs and horseshoes), decades before Ferrari and the Italian fighter pilots).
One more downside… no on-board catering service. Any IC train must have some sort of food and beverage service, preferably a small cafeteria-buffet tucked in a corner, at worst a couple of vending machines.