
In 1994, Deutsche Bahn (DB) placed an order for 13 ICE 3M trains. These were the international variants of the 50 ICE 3 trains that would enter service in 1998. The “M” in 3M stands for mehrsystemfähig, as the trainsets would be able to operate under different power supplies, initially for Germany and the Netherlands and later in Switzerland, Belgium, and France. To supplement DB’s order, the Dutch Railway (NS) purchased an additional four ICE 3M trains in 1995.
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