Good train news for Germany travelers with physical limitations on mobility:
"Deutsche Bahn has had to wait a long time, but now the permit has finally been granted: the ICE L [low floor] is set to begin commuting between Berlin and Cologne at the end of the year [change of schedule]. The new trains will feature step-free access and windows that allow mobile phone reception.
Originally, the model from Spanish manufacturer Talgo was supposed to be launched in fall 2024. According to Deutsche Bahn, the launch has been delayed due to delivery problems at the manufacturer and delays in the testing and approval process. Now, it plans to present the new ICE to the public on October 17.
Deutsche Bahn has ordered 79 of the new trains. The first four are scheduled to enter service this year, with nine more trains to follow in 2026. A special feature of these vehicles is their step-free access – according to the railway company, the “L” in the name stands for “low floor.” The ICE L also has shorter carriages, a new interior design with “homely materials,” mobile phone-permeable windows, and improved seats, as announced by DB.
The ICE L is intended to replace the old Intercity 1 trains and visually resembles an IC rather than an ICE. The trains travel at speeds of up to 230 kilometers per hour, which is not as fast as other ICE trains."
Source: German article, translated with DeepL
More about Deutsche Bahn's long-distance trains.