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Siemens Velaro is a family of high-speed electric multiple unit trains built by Siemens. It is based on the ICE 3 high-speed trains initially co-manufactured by Siemens and Bombardier for German national rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB).
In 1994, Deutsche Bahn were the first to order 50 units of the high-speed trains, branded as ICE 3, that would eventually evolve into the Velaro family. This initial batch of ICE-3 trainsets was built by a consortium with Bombardier (acquired by Alstom), and first delivered for service in 1999. A version based on this train without Bombardier patents was developed by Siemens and has been marketed as Velaro since. Velaro derivatives have been introduced in Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Russia, and Turkey.
In July 2006, a Siemens Velaro train-set (AVE S-103) reached 403.7 km/h (250.8 mph), which was the world record for railed and unmodified commercial service trainsets.[1]
In 2018, Siemens announced a major design iteration termed Velaro Novo.[2] It is scheduled to enter service in 2028 with Brightline West.[3]