Denmark’s national rail operator, DSB, has launched new Talgo 230 trains on its EuroCity services between Copenhagen and Hamburg.
The first train entered operation on 3 November, two weeks after DSB formally accepted the initial units. This marked the start of a phased introduction of a 16-train fleet built by Spanish manufacturer Talgo.
The Talgo 230 trains replace older rolling stock on the route and increase capacity from 136 to 492 seats per train. Two daily return services will operate. Southbound EC 397 departs Copenhagen Central Station at 14:11 CET, arriving in Hamburg Central at 19:02. Northbound EC 396 leaves Hamburg at 10:53 and reaches Copenhagen at 15:50. Intermediate stops include Ringsted, Odense, Kolding and Padborg in Denmark, and Schleswig in Germany.
Future journey times are expected to fall once the Fehmarn Belt fixed link opens, providing a direct rail and road tunnel between Denmark and Germany.
The Talgo 230 trains are interoperable units capable of running on both domestic and international services. Each train is loco-hauled and certified for a maximum commercial speed of 200 km/h, with a design speed of 230 km/h. Train formations vary between nine and fifteen coaches, including first and second class accommodation and a car for passengers with reduced mobility.
The end coaches connect with DSB’s existing locomotives, although one of these will later be replaced by a Talgo cab car (styrevogn) to enable push–pull operation. The first cab car is currently being delivered from Spain.
Talgo’s design focuses on lightweight construction and articulated rolling assemblies, reducing energy use and track wear. The manufacturer states that 95 percent of the train structure is recoverable at the end of its service life. The trains’ lower weight also contributes to reduced emissions, supporting the climate targets of both Denmark and Germany.
The Talgo 230 platform builds on the company’s experience in high-speed trains, adapted for intercity networks with frequent stops. Improved acceleration and braking allow for efficient operation in densely populated regions with complex rail networks.
Work is underway to certify Talgo 230 units for operation in Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland (to Basel). Once approved, these authorisations will enable the trains to run across a wider network of cross-border routes in central Europe.
