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There were multiple foreseeable issues which German Rail (DB) failed to foresee and which together made it uneconomic:
  • The service would have crossed the Schengen border, requiring DB to arrange for border controls and customs at significant cost (including infrastructure at stations).
  • The trains earmarked for the service (Siemens Velaro D) should have been equipped with extra safety equipment at significant cost (also in extra weight).
  • Commissioning of the Velaros for Belgium and France (for existing services currently operated with older ICE3 trains) was problematic enough, also at significant cost.
  • DB doesn't have all that many high-speed trains and realised it needs more for domestic service.

As for the new Eurostar trains, they aren't suited for the electrification system in Germany.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 13th, 2016 at 11:34:35 AM EST
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