The first IC5 electric multiple unit (EMU) from Alstom has arrived in Denmark and is now undergoing testing at DSB’s newly built maintenance facility in Copenhagen. The five-car unit is part of a broader fleet being procured to replace older diesel-operated stock, with phased entry into passenger service expected from 2027.
The IC5 trainsets are derived from Alstom’s Coradia Stream platform. Each unit offers seating for approximately 300 passengers and is configured for long-distance operation with a top speed of 200 km/h. The onboard layout includes multiple entry points per side, dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and bicycles, and integrated toilets including multifunctional facilities. The units will be maintained at purpose-built depots in Copenhagen and Aarhus.
Under a framework agreement signed in 2021, DSB initially ordered 100 IC5 units from Alstom, with an additional 50 units added in 2025. The total contract value exceeds DKK 20 billion (approximately EUR 2.68 billion), including long-term maintenance. The fleet is intended to support the transition toward an electrified national rail network and is scheduled to replace diesel rolling stock by 2030.
Testing of the first IC5 unit focuses on homologation and verification, including compatibility with Denmark’s ETCS signalling infrastructure.
Talgo trainsets approved for Denmark
In parallel, Denmark’s railway authority Trafikstyrelsen has granted final approval for Talgo’s EuroCity trains, clearing the way for DSB to begin international services using the Spanish-built rolling stock. The Talgo 230-based EuroCity fleet is authorised for use in both Denmark and Germany, following joint certification by the Danish Trafikstyrelsen, Germany’s EBA, and the EU’s ERA.
The approved EuroCity trains are designed for cross-border services between Copenhagen and Hamburg. The 16-train fleet features locomotive-hauled rakes with a modular configuration ranging from 9 to 15 coaches, including first- and second-class sections, a PRM-accessible car, and space for bicycles and prams. The maximum capacity is 492 passengers per train, and commercial operation is authorised at 200 km/h.
DSB's Talgo order stems from a 2020 framework contract valued at EUR 500 million. The initial firm order for eight trains was priced at EUR 134 million. Further orders followed in 2021 and 2023, including additional coaches and eight more trains respectively. The most recent order, placed in April 2023, was worth EUR 184 million.
Each EuroCity trainset features extended end coaches that interface with DSB’s locomotive fleet. A cab car variant is planned for future delivery to enable push-pull operations, reducing turnaround times at terminals.
The Talgo 230 platform is also in use in Germany, where both Deutsche Bahn and private operator Flix have placed orders. DB holds contracts for up to 100 ICE L trains, with firm orders already placed for 79 units. Flix has committed to an initial batch of 30 units, with options extending to 65 trains.
Additional approvals for the Talgo 230 platform are being pursued in Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, as operators seek wider deployment across Central Europe.
