Class 1462 / 1862
Also known as: BR 1462 / 1862 / Siemens Desiro HC
UIC / EVN numbering: 94 80 1462 / 94 80 1862
Vehicle type: Electric multiple unit - EMU
Registration country: Germany
Railway companies: DB - Deutsche Bahn
Era:
VI
Built by:
Gauge:
Standard gauge (1'435 mm)
Electric systems:
15 kV AC / 16,7 Hz
Current collectors:
Pantograph - Asymmetrical
Length over buffers (mm):
105'250 mm
Width (mm):
2'820 mm
Tare weight (t):
199 t
Power output (x'xxx kW / x'xxx hp):
4'000 kW
Maximum speed (km/h):
160 km/h
Total number of seats (1st class seats / 2nd class seats / 3rd class seats / folding seats):
20x 1st class seats
360x 2nd class seats
360x 2nd class seats
2023
As part of the modernisation of regional rail services in northern
Bavaria and southern Thuringia, DB Regio Bayern ordered a new generation of
high-capacity electric multiple units from Siemens
Mobility for the Franken-Südthüringen network. The
contract, awarded in 2020, covered a total of 26 Desiro HC (High Capacity) double-deck
trains: 18 four-car units and 8 technically more advanced six-car
units. The four-car trains became DB Class 1462 and entered
passenger service in December 2023, while the six-car
Class 4462 followed in June 2024 for the
faster services towards Erfurt.
The 18 four-car units, numbered 1462 031 - 048, were developed for conventional regional services with a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Their introduction formed part of a wider expansion of the Franken-Thüringen-Express, commissioned by the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (BEG) together with the neighbouring state of Thuringia. The new trains provided not only a replacement for older rolling stock but also the additional capacity required for a more intensive timetable. Between Nuremberg and Bamberg, for example, the new operating concept introduced a half-hourly service between approximately 05:00 and 22:00, providing more than 10,000 additional seats per day.
The Desiro HC uses an unusual combination of single- and double-deck vehicles. Each Class 1462 train consists of two powered single-deck end cars surrounding two unpowered double-deck intermediate cars. This arrangement concentrates the traction equipment in the end vehicles while allowing the intermediate cars to maximise passenger capacity. The four-car train is approximately 105 metres long, weighs 199 tonnes empty and has eight powered axles. It operates from the German 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC overhead system and can reach 160 km/h. The trains are equipped with PZB train protection and regenerative electrodynamic braking, while Scharfenberg automatic couplers allow several units to operate together.
Despite its relatively compact four-car formation, each train offers 380 seats, including 20 first-class seats. Of the total capacity, 53 are folding or emergency seats. There are also two wheelchair spaces and room for up to 36 bicycles. Accessibility was an important requirement of the procurement: multifunctional areas are located close to the entrances, an onboard lift is provided for wheelchair users, and one of the train’s three toilets is fully accessible.
Passenger comfort was another major focus of the new fleet. The trains are air-conditioned and equipped with electrical sockets, free Wi-Fi, video surveillance and automatic passenger counting. An electronic passenger-information system uses 27 monitors throughout each train to display journey information. Siemens also incorporated specially developed high-frequency-permeable windows, designed to significantly improve mobile-phone reception inside the train without relying solely on conventional onboard signal repeaters.
The four-car trains can operate in multiple, an important feature on the busiest sections of the network. Two Class 1462 units coupled together provide up to 760 seats, allowing DB Regio to increase capacity on the heavily used approaches to Nuremberg and Bamberg before trains continue towards their respective destinations. This flexibility is particularly useful for the operating concept of the Franken-Thüringen-Express, where services can be combined over the busiest sections and divided further north.
The first 18 trains were publicly presented by DB Regio Bayern, BEG and Siemens Mobility at Bamberg Hauptbahnhof on 19 October 2023, followed by a special presentation run through Franconia. Regular operation began with the timetable change in December 2023. The four-car Desiro HC units initially took over services on the RE 20 Nürnberg-Bamberg-Würzburg, RE 42 Nürnberg-Bamberg-Lichtenfels-Saalfeld, RE 49 Nürnberg-Bamberg-Lichtenfels-Coburg-Sonneberg and RB 25 Bamberg-Kronach routes. Following subsequent timetable reorganisations, DB currently lists Class 1462 together with the six-car Class 4462 as the principal Desiro HC rolling stock of the Franken-Thüringen-Express network.
Visually, the Franken-Südthüringen trains are immediately recognisable by their DB Regio traffic-red livery, which distinguishes them from Desiro HC fleets operated by DB in the liveries of regional transport authorities elsewhere in Germany. Siemens itself highlighted the introduction of the new "red Desiro HC" when the fleet was officially presented in October 2023.
The Class 1462 fleet should not be confused with the closely related six-car Class 4462 delivered under the same contract. While both belong to the Desiro HC family, the latter was specifically developed for services using the VDE 8.1 high-speed infrastructure towards Erfurt. The eight six-car trains can reach 190 km/h and are equipped with ETCS and pressure-resistant bodies for high-speed operation through tunnels. By contrast, Class 1462 was conceived as the high-capacity 160 km/h workhorse of the conventional Franken-Südthüringen network. Together, the two variants enabled DB Regio to replace the previous rolling stock while substantially increasing capacity, frequency and passenger comfort across the Franken-Thüringen-Express network.
The 18 four-car units, numbered 1462 031 - 048, were developed for conventional regional services with a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Their introduction formed part of a wider expansion of the Franken-Thüringen-Express, commissioned by the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (BEG) together with the neighbouring state of Thuringia. The new trains provided not only a replacement for older rolling stock but also the additional capacity required for a more intensive timetable. Between Nuremberg and Bamberg, for example, the new operating concept introduced a half-hourly service between approximately 05:00 and 22:00, providing more than 10,000 additional seats per day.
The Desiro HC uses an unusual combination of single- and double-deck vehicles. Each Class 1462 train consists of two powered single-deck end cars surrounding two unpowered double-deck intermediate cars. This arrangement concentrates the traction equipment in the end vehicles while allowing the intermediate cars to maximise passenger capacity. The four-car train is approximately 105 metres long, weighs 199 tonnes empty and has eight powered axles. It operates from the German 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC overhead system and can reach 160 km/h. The trains are equipped with PZB train protection and regenerative electrodynamic braking, while Scharfenberg automatic couplers allow several units to operate together.
Despite its relatively compact four-car formation, each train offers 380 seats, including 20 first-class seats. Of the total capacity, 53 are folding or emergency seats. There are also two wheelchair spaces and room for up to 36 bicycles. Accessibility was an important requirement of the procurement: multifunctional areas are located close to the entrances, an onboard lift is provided for wheelchair users, and one of the train’s three toilets is fully accessible.
Passenger comfort was another major focus of the new fleet. The trains are air-conditioned and equipped with electrical sockets, free Wi-Fi, video surveillance and automatic passenger counting. An electronic passenger-information system uses 27 monitors throughout each train to display journey information. Siemens also incorporated specially developed high-frequency-permeable windows, designed to significantly improve mobile-phone reception inside the train without relying solely on conventional onboard signal repeaters.
The four-car trains can operate in multiple, an important feature on the busiest sections of the network. Two Class 1462 units coupled together provide up to 760 seats, allowing DB Regio to increase capacity on the heavily used approaches to Nuremberg and Bamberg before trains continue towards their respective destinations. This flexibility is particularly useful for the operating concept of the Franken-Thüringen-Express, where services can be combined over the busiest sections and divided further north.
The first 18 trains were publicly presented by DB Regio Bayern, BEG and Siemens Mobility at Bamberg Hauptbahnhof on 19 October 2023, followed by a special presentation run through Franconia. Regular operation began with the timetable change in December 2023. The four-car Desiro HC units initially took over services on the RE 20 Nürnberg-Bamberg-Würzburg, RE 42 Nürnberg-Bamberg-Lichtenfels-Saalfeld, RE 49 Nürnberg-Bamberg-Lichtenfels-Coburg-Sonneberg and RB 25 Bamberg-Kronach routes. Following subsequent timetable reorganisations, DB currently lists Class 1462 together with the six-car Class 4462 as the principal Desiro HC rolling stock of the Franken-Thüringen-Express network.
Visually, the Franken-Südthüringen trains are immediately recognisable by their DB Regio traffic-red livery, which distinguishes them from Desiro HC fleets operated by DB in the liveries of regional transport authorities elsewhere in Germany. Siemens itself highlighted the introduction of the new "red Desiro HC" when the fleet was officially presented in October 2023.
The Class 1462 fleet should not be confused with the closely related six-car Class 4462 delivered under the same contract. While both belong to the Desiro HC family, the latter was specifically developed for services using the VDE 8.1 high-speed infrastructure towards Erfurt. The eight six-car trains can reach 190 km/h and are equipped with ETCS and pressure-resistant bodies for high-speed operation through tunnels. By contrast, Class 1462 was conceived as the high-capacity 160 km/h workhorse of the conventional Franken-Südthüringen network. Together, the two variants enabled DB Regio to replace the previous rolling stock while substantially increasing capacity, frequency and passenger comfort across the Franken-Thüringen-Express network.
Do you have additional informations regarding this vehicle?
Help us writing the history of Class 1462 / 1862! Your knowledge is precious for us and the entire community, do not hesitate to share your facts, photos or videos:
Latest update on the 12th of September 2026 at 19:14
Contributor(s): Tudor C.
Advertising:
Class 1462 / 1862 - Related rolling stock from category "Siemens Desiro HC":
Class 1462 / 1862 - Associated miniature models:
DB Regio - BR 1462 "Desiro HC" electric multiple unit
Recommended retail price: 699,00 €
Available since: June 2026
DB Regio - BR 1462 "Desiro HC" electric multiple unit
Recommended retail price: 699,00 €
Available since: June 2026
DB Regio - BR 1462 "Desiro HC" electric multiple unit
Recommended retail price: from 399,99 €
Expected availability: 2nd Quarter 2026
Advertising:
The identity card, photos and videos for thousands of railway vehicles all around Europe!
Copyright © 2026 T&H Services - All rights reserved
Powered by
