Farewell to a small ICE legend: The BR 415 is history — but not quite! You can still drive it virtually!

Another chapter in German high-speed rail history has come to an end. The five-car ICE T of the 415 series has completed its final journey – from Frankfurt via Leipzig and back via Nuremberg. But is this really the end, or will the train live on virtually elsewhere?

The BR 415 represented the shorter variant of the ICE T family and was primarily used as a reinforcement unit alongside seven-car sets. Out of eleven ICE T5 units ordered, six were designated for domestic service, while five were additionally approved for operation in Switzerland. The five-car ICE T was officially presented on April 15, 1999, at Stuttgart main station, where a symbolic key was handed over during a ceremonial event attended by around 300 guests and journalists.

From June 2025 onward, the gradual withdrawal of class 415 units began, officially justified by high susceptibility to technical failures. The era ended on February 21, 2026, when two farewell special services were operated. The first ran from Frankfurt via Fulda to Leipzig, while the return journey traveled from Leipzig via Nuremberg back to Frankfurt. Units 415 020 “Gotha” and 415 024 “Hansestadt Rostock” operated in double traction, marking the final operational appearance of this class.

Although the BR 415 has left real-world service, it remains available in the virtual realm. A Train Simulator mod enhances the BR 411 and adds the shorter BR 415 variant. The package includes completely new traction sounds, new bogie sounds, real-recorded cab controls, new door and ambient sounds, improved audio mixing, and visual additions such as the “Klimaschützer” livery, named units, updated lighting textures, interior advertisements, an updated GNT display, and a digital Zp9 company phone.

In this way, the five-car ICE T continues its journey digitally. While its real tracks between Frankfurt, Leipzig, and Nuremberg are now part of history, the BR 415 remains preserved within simulation.

Link: https://www.trainsimcommunity.com/mods/c3-train-…nhancement-pack

Did you take part in one of the farewell trips? Have you ever traveled on a BR 415? Do you think it's understandable that it's being taken out of service?