German railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB) has resumed acceptance of ICE 4 trains from Siemens and Bombardier, a programme suspended earlier this year over quality issues.

The programme resumed after the two rolling stock manufacturers reached an agreement with the German firm and Federal Railway Authority (EBA) to address defects identified with the welds on the ICE 4 train carriage bodies.

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The agreement encompasses reworking and testing concept for welds, which were ‘occasionally not executed in the specified quality on ICE 4 body shells’.

DB suspended the procurement of ICE 4 trains in April following the detection of defects.

In the coming days, DB is set to receive five ICE 4 trains, following which the company will have a fleet of 30 ICE 4 trains. Subsequently, it will continue to procure ICE 4 trains as initially planned and place them in service.

As the quality issue does not threaten operational safety, the affected vehicles will also be used for passenger services.

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All reworks, as agreed, will be conducted during ongoing operation without affecting passenger service. According to current plans, the overhauling is expected to begin early next year and be completed by mid-2023.

Siemens Mobility is the general contractor for these trains, while Bombardier Transportation is responsible for the delivery of all painted body shells, inboard bearing bogies and the assembly of three types of cars, including end cars.

Under the original framework agreement signed in 2011, DB will procure up to 300 trainsets from Siemens Mobility.