Intercity Express (Royal Radictistan Railways)
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Inter-city rail, high speed |
| Status | Operating |
| Current operator(s) | Royal Radictistan Railways |
| Route | |
| Start | Hartfer, Norcustsur |
| End | Beschertal, Eastval |
| Line(s) used | Nuxenstat-Hartfer Main Line Nuxenstat-Beschertal Main Line |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | First and Standard class |
| Disabled access | Fully accessible |
| Seating arrangements | Airline-style coach seating |
| Catering facilities | On-board café, and at-seat meals in first class |
| Baggage facilities | Baggage check available |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Electrification | 15 kV AC overhead |
| Operating speed | 220 km/h (maximum) 150 km/h (average between stops) |
The Intercity Express is the high-speed rail service of Royal Radictistan Railways. ICE trainsets operate on the Nuxenstat-Hartfer and Nuxenstat-Beschertal Main Lines at speeds of up to 220 km/h. They represent the highest service category on Royal Radictistan Railways. There are currently 40 consists in service, each pulled by a Serie 88 electric locomotive and a control car in push-pull configuration. The ICE is operated jointly by the Northern and Eastern regions of Royal Radictistan Railways, with crews switching at Nuxenstat Central Station. The Intercity Express does not operate during nighttime hours.
Route
The Intercity Express service is operated between the cities of Hartfer and Beschertal through the national capital, Nuxenstat. The route taken utilizes the Nuxenstat-Hartfer and Nuxenstat-Beschertal Main Lines. Both lines are electrified at 15 kV 16.7 Hz. Maximum operating speed on the Nuxenstat-Hartfer route is 220 km/h while the Nuxenstat-Beschertal route allows speeds of up to 200 km/h. Higher speeds are unlikely to be obtained in the future because of limits placed by the radius of curvature on those lines. The entire ICE route is outfitted with in-cab signalling and automatic train stop functionality which are required in Radictistan for all trains operating above 160 km/h.
Rolling stock
Motive power for Intercity Express consists is provided by a CFR Serie 88 electric locomotive. A consist usually consists of ten or eleven EBW04 carriages behind the locomotive: a baggage car, two First Class cars, a café/kitchen car, four or five Standard Class cars, and a control car also with Standard Class seating. The control car allows for faster turnaround at the Hartfer and Beschertal termini. The First Class cars have forty-two seats each while the Standard Class vehicles each contain sixty-four. It is usual practice for one Standard Class car to be designated a "quiet car" where mobile phone use and loud conversations are prohibited. While the locomotives used for the ICE service are imported from Van Luxemburg, the unpowered rolling stock is manufactured in Radictistan by Rabensberg Heavy Industries.
Onboard service
Service on the Intercity Express is provided in two classes: First Class and Standard Class. ICE coaches are all of the open type. All tickets include a seat reservation. Complimentary wireless internet is available in all passenger areas. Smoking is not permitted on-board the train.
First Class passenger coaches are arranged with three seats in each row. Every seat has a built-in charging station for personal electronics and an extra-large folding table. The seats themselves are similar to those found onboard Radictistani airliners in First Class, but are slightly wider and the seat pitch is even greater than on most airlines. First Class passengers receive complimentary at-seat meals and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
Standard Class coaches have four seats in each row. Each seat has a charging station for personal electronics. Food and beverages can be purchased in the café car.