DB Direct London to Germany services

[paulypaul]

Does anyone have any info on whether DB are going to offer direct services through to Germany from St Pancras International in the future?

 

[317666]

They do intend to run through services from London to Amsterdam, and to Frankfurt via Cologne. I believe they were originally meant to start this year but there have been various setbacks, so it's looking more like 2015-16.

 

[maxiboy]

As DB suffers from a (self-inflicted) rolling stock shortage on their domestic routes, the Velaro D / Class 407 needs to be put in service on their domestic routes first. The trainsets have not yet received clearance from the Federal Railway Authority.

But it is unlikely that DB will pursue the direct connection to London in the near future.

 

[jon0844]

I hope so! Can't wait for it to happen.

 

[tony6499]

I prefer the change of journey in Brussels or Paris when I travel to Germany as it makes it more of an adventure and a chance to look at different things.

I remember reading a while ago there was a problem with the UKBA and immigration that would affect the through trains so I wonder if that has been sorted ?

 

[gordonthemoron]

I prefer the change of journey in Brussels or Paris when I travel to Germany as it makes it more of an adventure and a chance to look at different things.

I remember reading a while ago there was a problem with the UKBA and immigration that would affect the through trains so I wonder if that has been sorted ?

Since UKBA are now doing passport checks on inbound Brussels services at STP, I can't see a problem (or at least they were the last time I heard)

 

[CyrusWuff]

Since UKBA are now doing passport checks on inbound Brussels services at STP, I can't see a problem (or at least they were the last time I heard)

I can confirm that UKBA are still doing passport checks at STP as of a week ago, though it's only usually on services that stop at Lille. This is in addition to the checks at Bruxelles-Midi.

 

[brianthegiant]

Passport checks at Brussels and Stp... oh dear,

current hysteria about immigration means UKPBA are totally overstretched.
silly thing about the hysteria is that most of the net migration is people who are EU citizens & legally allowed to be here, so all the border screening in the world wont make that much difference.

It was mentioned on another related thread that UKBA are saying they wont resource any additional continental border points beyond the ones they're already committed to (Paris,Brussels,Lille,&weekly mobile south of France).

So DB passengers would have to get off at Lille for a passport check, which defeats the object of the new DB/E* direct services, I think this is why DB&E* are talking down the concept at present. I believe E* are also planning to use their new E320s on existing routes.

I cant see the situation changing any time soon, unless UKBA are given the cash to run the extra border points, either due to a change of government or we're firmly out of recession.

 

[button_boxer]

The passport checks aren't really the problem as those can happen on arrival at St Pancras, the issue is the requirement to x-ray all luggage before it goes through the tunnel. If they can't segregate tunnel passengers and screen luggage before boarding at Köln, Amsterdam etc. then they have to turf everyone off at Lille to be scanned.

Once you have everyone off the train for the security scan you may as well do passports at Lille too in order to speed up the arrivals process, but it's the security that's the sticking point.

 

[Oscar]

Why could screening not be carried out quickly for all passengers at Köln and Amsterdam in a similar way to the efficient AVE/Avant baggage screening in Spain? Passport controls could then take place at St. Pancras.

 

[cle]

The security screenings are totally ludicrous anyway.

 

[Sidious]

The security screenings are totally ludicrous anyway.

Absolutely agree. Totally unnecessary. As is the area the size of a football pitch at St. Pancras as a 'security zone' between the buffer stops and the exit, surrounded by the glass wall...

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

To go back to the OP, there are very major problems with the C407 ICEs at present in terms of Siemens' ability to deliver the specification and get the trains authorised in DE, BE and NL, with all the various train control systems and ERTMS variants (whoever said it was a standardised system?!) DB currently won't even discuss dates when the trains could be introduced within Germany never mind anywhere else.
So I think direct DB services from London are at least 5-7 years away despite all the helpful stuff that has been done to get ICE trains access through the tunnel and up HS1 to St. Pancras. In the meantime, enjoy Eurostar!

 

[Chris125]

Velaro-D finally approved for use in Germany - good news hopefully for DB services to London.

GERMANY'S Federal Railway Authority (EBA) has finally approved the fleet of Siemens Velaro-D (class 407) ICEs ordered by German Rail (DB) for use on the German network, two years after they were originally due to enter service.

The approval covers the operation of the eight-car 320km/h trains singly or in multiple on the DB network.

Siemens says it has delivered four of the 16 sets on order, with a further four due for delivery in spring 2014. As the trains were ordered for international services, the remaining eight trains will be allocated to trials in France and Belgium.

Chris

 

[Mediarail.be]

I thing 2016. Problems exist at Brussels-Midi : services must to use track 3-4 isolated at the customs, which will pose some changes that I expected to see. The main problem is in the direction Germany-UK: how to ensure that all passengers for Brussels landed without leaving any suspect package ?

Two pictures of the test in Belgium in september 2013 : http://www.wallorail.be/actu2013/in...bre-2013-essais-de-l-ice-4-entre-ath-et-silly

Mediarail.be