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German high-speed trains too hot to ride
Germany's Inter City Express (ICE) high-speed railway system is suffering a major scandal as thousands of people have had to seek medical attention from overheated trains.Temperatures on some trains have reached as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) thanks to malfunctioning air conditioning. More than 2,200 people have had to go to hospital after their sweltering rides. Train operator Deutsche Bahn has paid out 500 euros ($645) and a refund to each as compensation.
Deutsche Bahn is blaming the company that built the trains, but the railway industry says poor maintenance is to blame. In other words, nobody is taking responsibility.
Photo courtesy Sebastian Terfloth via Wikimedia Commons.
Filed under: Europe, Germany, Transportation, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Charley Jul 24th 2010 5:48PM
ICE trains are usually a nice ride. I've never had a problem with them, but then again I am in Germany during the winter months.
Cheap Hotels Jul 25th 2010 4:48AM
ICE train reiding is really cool..I loved it a lot...
nzm Jul 25th 2010 9:16AM
50degC is conservative. In the German press, one article records on-board temperatures as high as 70degC (158degF), with Deutsche Bahn denying it and saying that it was only 61degC (142degC). That's German precision for you! ;.)
We've ridden the ICE trains many times - thankfully not when the air-conditioning has packed up.
gw Jul 26th 2010 4:16AM
60 degrees? Those people should take their refund and take a vacation in the tropics, to enjoy the "cool" climate haha.