DB: can they catch a break?

Daily Connection in 2015 at the Earliest - DB will reach London with two years delay - Süddeutsche Zeitung

... Reason for the delay: problems with the certification of the new trains.

... DB wanted to offer three round-trip trains per day from Frankfurt to London - maybe already for the Olympic games in 2012 but in 2013 at the latest. Bahn chief Grube solemnly spoke of "a new age" for railways in Europe. But now it's clear: not for the time being. The new age will keep us waiting.

DB has not made any official announcements but SZ has learned from DB quarters that the starting date of 2013 is no longer possible. ... "We're expecting a delay of at least two years."

At fault are the delayed deliveries of 16 new ICE trains built by Siemens. The new model #407 (Velaro) is equipped for five different countries. Originally, DB wanted to use the first Velaros on Frankfurt-Marseille from this winter on and later to London.

But since Siemens has problems with a supplier the certification will be delayed. ... As a compromise eight of the new ten trains are to be used in Germany from 2012/13 on. The deployment in France would be pushed back. But it was hitherto unknown that the deployment to London would also be delayed.

and so on. Grube was apparently betting mightily on getting 15% mode share of Frankfurt-London, 1 million passengers per year, plus 'prestige'. Yeah, that again. They would be offering a cross-border service without a local partner for the first time. Fear of getting left behind by Eurostar.

Siemens is taking responsibility for the delay ad France but not for London. They say trains are not equipped for the channel tunnel and upgrade hasn't been ordered by DB. DB in turn says it's not necessary to order for London just yet. Original plan was to certify for Germany, France, Belgium and then for the Chunnel, UK, and Netherlands. DB estimates certification for Belgium 2013, France in 2014, UK+Chunnel in 2015.