ICE train depot

Deutsche Bahn’s new maintenance depot for its ICE high-speed trains is under construction on the site of the former Dortmund cargo yard. Situated on a plot of more than 300,000 square meters in size, the facility comprises several buildings, including the 480-meter-long maintenance shed with workshops and offices, and warehouses. The individual buildings form a coherent complex that enables efficient workflows.

Up to eight single ICE trains – trains with one traction unit each – can be serviced simultaneously in the central workshop. A steel truss structure creates a clear-span shopfloor for unrestricted freedom of movement during maintenance work. ICE vehicles can be driven onto the maintenance tracks independently through four folding doors on each of the short sides of the structure. Lowering the shed level in relation to the tracks, inspection pits, and roof working platforms allows maintenance work to be performed on several levels. Pedestrian and logistics routes run along the four maintenance tracks.

The façade of the new ICE maintenance shed combines a clear horizontal pattern with dynamic lines to represent the movement and speed of train operations. Its red and white design is an unmistakable reference to Deutsche Bahn’s brand identity. A finely textured, translucent façade surface envelops the shed above a solid base. The translucent elements create a bright atmosphere inside and provide perfect lighting conditions for maintenance work. The roof is extensively greened and equipped with a photovoltaic system.

The extension on the long side of the maintenance shed includes a four-story building and an adjoining two-story block. The ground floor houses a room for visitors, the company restaurant, and the electrical, paint, and mechanical workshops. A transition zone links the latter to the shopfloor. The upper floors accommodate offices and changing rooms.

The second extension to the east of the shed takes the form of an elongated block. Its northern part accommodates the spare parts warehouse, which includes an incoming goods area at its end. The ground floor houses the incoming goods office, order picking areas, and auxiliary workshops.

The new ICE maintenance depot in Dortmund combines state-of-the-art infrastructure with functional efficiency, making a major contribution to establishing sustainable, future-proof mobility in the German rail transportation system.