DB Class 403 (1973) – Wikipedia

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This article is about the EMU developed in the 1970s. For the 3rd generation ICE, see ICE 3. DB Class 403

DB Class 403 in Lufthansa livery

In service19721993ManufacturerLHB, MBB, AEG, BBC, SiemensConstructed1972Number built3Fleet numberET 403/404 001003Maximum speed220 km/h (140 mph)200 km/h (120 mph) in serviceWeightService. outputContinuous: 3,840 kW (5,150 hp)Tractive effortStarting: 200 kN (45,000 lbf)TransmissionQuill drive(s)electric system(s)15 kV 16.7 Hz AC CatenaryCurrent collector(s)PantographUIC classificationBoBo(BoB+BoBingsBoBo+system) SiFa, LZB, AFB, IndusiCoupling systemScharfenbergTrack gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The DB Class 403 is a series of three electric multiple units commissioned by the Deutsche Bundesbahn in the 1970s, an early predecessor of the Intercity-Express as a high-speed train. The units were mainly used for InterCity services and again by Lufthansa airline in the 1980s. Due to the unique design of its front section, the unit was nicknamed “Donald Duck”. They were designed for operating speeds of up to 220 km/h, a speed also achieved in extensive test drives, but they were limited to 200 km/h in regular DB service.

Development[edit]

After the development and introduction of the E03 highspeed-locomotive, the Deutsche Bundesbahn instructed the railway industry to propose designs for an Elektro Triebwagen[1] (highspeed electric multiple unit) capable of operating at 200 km/h on the planned InterCity network.[2]
On 24 May 1970, the Deutsche Bundesbahn decided to order three prototypes and instructed various German companies to build the trains. Linke-Hoffmann-Busch built six driving cars, designated as class 403.0, MBB built three coaches (class 404.0) and three dining cars (class 404.1). The bogies were built by MAN and the electrical equipment was made by AEG, BBC and Siemens.[3] All of the train’s axles were powered and the train featured a tilting mechanism with many new developments in the early 1970s, e.g. the British Advanced Passenger Train.[4] Of the twelve cars built three prototype electric multiple units consisting of 1 drivingcar + 1 coach + 1 diningcar + 1 drivingcar were formed:

EMU 1: 403 001 + 404 001 + 404 101 + 403 002 EMU 2: 403 003 + 404 002 + 404 102 + 403 004 EMU 3: 403 005 + 3: 403 005 + 1

Thanks to reinforced bogies in each car, the train can be enlarged with additional coaches. The concept of powered bogies was applied to InterCityExpress 3, also designated as class 403, a few decades later.

Class 403.0 Class 404.0 Class 404.1 Class 403.0 Type Avm Apm ARpm Avm Interior Compartments Coach Coach and Restaurant Compartments DB: 183 Seats 45 (14 + 15 + 66) 51 18 (1st class) + 24 (Restaurant 14) + 24 (Restaurant 14) ) LH after 1982 refurbishment: 171 Seats 39 (14 + 15 + 56 + Luggage) 51 42 (Bar only) 39 (14 + 15 + 56 + Luggage) LH after 1988 refurbishment: 151 Seats + 15 (Galley + 5 + 15 Luggage) ) 45 36 (Bar only) 35 (Galley + 15 + 56 + Luggage) InterCity[edit]

The first train was handed over to the DB on 2 March 1973 and trial runs were carried out between 28 November 1973 and 8 August 1974. The tilting mechanism was shut down as it did not live up to expectations.[5] Revenue service began on 29 September 1974 as InterCity Riemenschneider, Nordwind, Sdwind, Albrecht Drer and Hermes on the line between Bremen and Munich.[6] Due to the lack of suitable high-speed tracks, the trains reached their maximum speed only between Munich and Augsburg.[7] The impossibility of meeting fluctuating passenger numbers made trainsets impractical and constrained.[8] They were withdrawn from IC services in 1979 and replaced by Class 111 locomotives, when the IC ’79 scheme introduced 2nd class to previously 1st class-only IC services.[9]

Lufthansa Airport Express[edit]

In 1981 Lufthansa wanted to replace the very expensive Dsseldorf – Frankfurt shorthaul flight by rail transport. The Deutsche Bundesbahn agreed and got rid of their problem, the Class 403 which did not bring in profits, at once.[10] Tests on the proposed route, the West Rhine Railway, were conducted on 13 and 16 February 1981.[11] The trains were refitted to Lufthansa standards and got a grey-yellow Lufthansa livery. Instead of a kitchen, an airplane-like on-board galley was placed. The seats were replaced with DC-10 business class seats.[12] On March 28, 1982, ET 403 was recommissioned as the Lufthansa Airport Express, a shuttle service connecting Dsseldorf and Frankfurt airports along the scenic West Rhine Railway via Bonn Hauptbahnhof.[13] Ended use in 1993 due to increased corrosion of aluminum sheets. All the trains were finally sold by Deutsche Bahn in 2001 and fell into disrepair. The technical concept of separate vehicles was continued in the ICE 3 design, also classified as Class 403.

Gallery[edit]

In the driver’s cabin, 1988

Sources[edit]

^ Riechers, Daniel (2006) (in German), New trains for Germany’s high-speed traffic, Stuttgart: Transpress Verlag ISBN 3-613-71172-9 page 26 ^ Eikhoff, Dieter (2006) (in German), Everything about the ICE, Stuttgart :Transpress Verlag ISBN 978-3-613-71277-5 page 14 ^ TEE train in Germany p. 32. ^ La Lgende of TEE p. 68. ^ TEE train in Germany p. 32. ^ La Lgende of TEE p. 69. ^ Riechers, Daniel (2006) (in German), New trains for Germany’s express traffic, Stuttgart:Transpress Verlag ISBN 3-613-71172-9 page 26 ^ Eikhoff, Dieter (2006) (in German), Everything about the ICE , Stuttgart:Transpress Verlag ISBN 978-3-613-71277-5 page 14 ^ Riechers, Daniel (2006) (in German), Neue Zge fr Deutschlands Schnellverkehr, Stuttgart:Transpress Verlag ISBN 3-613-71172-9 page ^ TEE train in Germany p. 32. ^ La Lgende of TEE p. 69. ^ The Big TEA Book p. 130 ^ Allen, Geoffrey Freeman (1983). Railways of the twentieth century, Sidgwick and Jackson, p. 212. ISBN 0-283-98769-3 Works Cited[edit]
Hajt, Jr. (2001). The Big TEE Book (in German). Bonn/Kingswinter: Tang Verlag. ISBN 3-89365-948-X. Goette, Peter (2008). TEE train in Germany (in German). Freiburg: EK-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-88255-698-8. Mertens, Maurice; Malaspina, Jean Pierre (2007). La Lgende of the Trans Europ Express (in French). Vannes: LR Press. ISBN 978-29-036514-5-9. Outside on the left[edit]

Media related to DB Class 403 at Wikimedia Commons

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