Last update for this page: 20 January 2006.
National Railway System: Deutsche Bahn AG (DB). The principal operating divisions of DB are:
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DB Reise & TouristikLong distance passenger services |
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DB Regio Local passenger services |
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DB Station & Service Operates passenger stations |
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DB Cargo Freight |
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DB Netz Track and infrastructure |
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DB Holding & Gesellschaften Other activities |
The following have been, or are being, set up as DB subsidiary train operating companies:
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DB Autozüg GmbH |
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DB-Zug-Bus Nordrhein Holding GmbH |
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DB-Zug-Bus Regionalverkehr Alb-Bodensee GmbH |
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DB-Zug-Bus Westfalen Holding GmbH |
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Metropolitan GmbH |
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S-Bahn Berlin GmbH |
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S-Bahn Hamburg GmbH |
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Usedomer Bäderbahn GmbH [UBB] |
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Zug-Bus Schleswig-Holstein GmbH |
The Eisenbundesamt (EBA) is a government-sponsored safety-approvel agency, independent of DB.
Language: German
Currency: Euro
UIC code: Deutsche Bahn AG: 80, Ahaus Alsätter Eisenbahn GmbH and Bentheimer Eisenbahn AG: 68. The former Deutscher Reichsbahn code was 50, but this will now only be seen on withdrawn or museum vehicles.
Timetable: The Kursbuch, normally issued annually, is an extremely bulky volume covering the whole of Germany. The 2000/01 edition was published as three separate volumes, plus the previously separate Zugverzeichnis volume which lists all long distance services in train number order. It includes almost all public railway services, some tourist lines, shipping services and some bus services (mostly those replacing recently closed railways). Regional and local timetable books are also available, and may be more convenient if only part of the country is being visited. The Kursbuch includes limited general information in English and French. Supplements are usually issued in September and occasionally in January, and sometimes with the new volume. Railway lines are sometimes referred to by their timetable number in the Kursbuch, this being indicated by the prefix KBS (= Kursbuchstrecke).
A loose sheet map provided with the Kursbuch shows railways throughout Germany, distinguishing electrified and private lines. Certain bus routes, principally those replacing recently-closed railways, are also marked. Canals, rivers, lakes and relief are shown, as are railways under construction. Many stations are shown, each being marked by a small rectangle which is placed on the same side of the line as the main station building. A European railway map is on the reverse of the sheet. The main map, in sections, is also bound into the timetable volume, which also includes enlargements of the areas around the main cities. Route diagrams serve as an index to the long-distance summary timetables.
Gauge: Standard. There are various narrow-gauge private lines. DB operates a metre-gauge line on the island of Wangerooge and two 750mm gauge lines, which are still steam worked, in the Dresden area. The train ferry terminal at Mukran, close to Sassnitz Fährhafen, is 1524mm gauge to receive and despatch wagons from and to Klaipeda.
Electrification: 15kV 16.7Hz. The Berlin S-Bahn is 800V dc third rail, and the Hamburg S-Bahn is 1200V dc third rail. Obstfelderschmiede to Cursdorf is 500V dc overhead and Blankenburg (Harz) to Königshütte is 25kV 50Hz (This line is out of use between Königshütte and Elbingerode).
Rule of the road: Right
Other Railways: see separate document.
Tourist lines: Very few tourist lines run frequently; fortnightly during the summer is quite common. In many cases these are weekend operations over private freight lines. Some lines operate only two or three times a year. Due to the very large number of tourist lines in Germany, those less than 1km long or 600mm gauge are not listed, nor are steam services over lines with regular passenger workings. While many tourist trains are steam-worked, numerous preserved railbuses and diesel locomotives are also used.
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Alsbach-Beuneweg - Frankenstein - Darmstadt Schloss - Griesheim (metre gauge) (Eisenbahnmuseum Darmstadt-Kranichstein) |
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Alstätte - Wessum (Euregio Eisenbahn Ahaus Alstätte) |
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Amstetten - Gerstetten (Ulmer Eisenbahnfreunde eV) |
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Amstetten - Oppingen (metre gauge) (Ulmer Eisenbahnfreunde eV) |
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Bad Nauheim - Münzenberg (Eisenbahnfreunde Wetterau eV) |
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Bergedorf - Geesthacht - Krümmel (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Geesthachter Eisenbahn eV) |
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Berlin-Wilhelmsruhe - Basdorf (Berlin Eisenbahnfreunde eV) |
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Bocholt - Mussum (Verein zur Erhaltung und Förderung des Schienenverkehrs eV) |
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Börssum - Salzgitter Bad (Dampfzug Betriebs Gemeinschaft eV) |
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Bonn-Beuel - Hangelar (Rhein-Sieg Eisenbahnbetriebs GmbH) |
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Bremen-Kirchhuchting - Thedinghausen (Kleinbahn Leeste eV) |
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Brohl - Engeln (metre gauge) (Interessengemeinschaft Brohltal Schmalspureisenbahn eV) |
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Bruchhausen-Vilsen - Asendorf (metre gauge) (Deutscher Eisenbahn Verein eV) |
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Buxtehude - Harsefeld (Buxtehude-Harsefelder Eisenbahnfreunde eV) |
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Celle - Müden (Örtze) (Braunschweigische Landes-Museums-Eisenbahn GmbH) |
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Celle - Hankensbüttel - Brome or Braunschweig (Braunschweigische Landes-Museums-Eisenbahn GmbH) |
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Darmstadt Ost - Bessunger Forsthaus (Eisenbahnmuseum Darmstadt-Kranichstein) |
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Deinste - Lütjenkamp (600mm gauge) (Deutsches Feld und Kleinbahnmuseum eV) |
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Lemwerder - Delmenhorst - Harpstedt (Delmenhorst-Harpstedter Eisenbahnfreunde eV) |
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Dinkelscherben - Thannhausen (Schwaben Dampf eV) |
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Dresden - Gittersee (Sächsischer Museumseisenbahn Verein Windbergbahn eV) |
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Ebermannstadt - Behringersmühle (Dampfbahn Fränkische Schweiz eV) |
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Emmerthal - Eschershausen (Dampfzug Betriebs Gemeinschaft eV) |
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Essen-Kupferdreh - Haus Scheppen (Verein zur Erhaltung der Hespertalbahn eV) |
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Eyach - Hechingen (Eisenbahnfreunde Zollernbahn eV) |
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Eystrup - Bruchhausen-Vilsen - Heiligenfelde (Deutscher Eisenbahn Verein eV) |
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Fladungen - Ostheim v d Rhön (Fränkisches Freilandmuseum Fladungen) |
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Frankfurt Hafenbahn: Griesheim - Mainkur (Historische Eisenbahn Frankfurt eV) |
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Geilenkirchen-Gillrath - Schierwaldenrath (metre gauge) (Interessengemeinschaft Historischer Schienenverkehr eV) |
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Gotteszell - Viechtach (Interssengemeinschaft Schienenverkehr Niederbayern eV) |
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Grevesmühlen - Klütz (Klützer Ostsee-Eisenbahn Gmbh) |
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Grünstadt - Altleiningen-Drahtzug (Pfalzbahn) |
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Gütersloh Nord - Ibbenbüren-Aasee (Eisenbahn Tradition eV) |
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Hamm Süd - Lippborg-Heintrop (Hammer Eisenbahnfreunde im Verkehrsverein eV) |
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Hattingen - Wengern Ost (Eisenbahnmuseum Bochum-Dahlhausen GmbH) |
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Helmstedt - Weferlingen (Braunschweigische Landes-Museums-Eisenbahn GmbH) |
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Holzhausen-Heddinghausen - Bohmte (Museums Eisenbahn Minden eV) |
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Jöhstadt - Steinbach (Interessengemeinschaft Pressnitztalbahn eV) |
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Jülich - Ederen (Eisenbahn Amateur Klub Jülich eV) |
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Jülich - Linnich (Dampfbahn Rur-Wurm-Inde eV) |
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Kandern - Haltingen (Kandertalbahn) |
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Kappeln - Süderbrarup (Freunde des Schienenverkehrs Flensburg eV) |
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Kassel Wilhelmshöhe Süd - Naumburg (Arbeitskreis Historischer Zug Hessencourier eV) |
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Kiefersfelden - Wachtl (narrow gauge, electrified) (Museums Eisenbahn Gemeinschaft Wachtl eV) |
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Klostermansfeld - Hettstedt (750mm gauge) (Mansfelder Bergwerksbahn eV) |
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Knappenrode - Zeissholz (Förderverain Lausitzer Grubenbahn eV) |
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Letter - Bokeloh (Interessengemeinschaft Schienenbus eV) |
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Lambrecht - Elmstein (DGEG) |
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Loburg - Altengrabow (Arbeitskreis Loburger Bahn) |
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Lübeck: Vorwerker Kleinbahn (600mm gauge) |
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Lüneburg Süd - Salzhausen - Winsen Süd - Niedermarschacht (Touristick Eisenbahn Lüneburger Heide) |
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Meppen - Quakenbrück (Eisenbahnfreunde Hasetal-Haselünne eV) |
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Merzig Ost - Niederlosheim (MECL Eisenbahnfreunde eV) |
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Minden - Kleinenbremen (Museums Eisenbahn Minden eV) |
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Minden - Hille (Museums Eisenbahn Minden eV) |
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Moers - Hörstgen-Sevelen (Niederrheinische Verkehrsbetriebe AG) |
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Munsingen - Gammertingen (Eisenbahnfreunde Zollernbahn eV) |
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Münster (Westf) - Neubeckum (Eisenbahn Tradition eV) |
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Norden - Dornum (Museumseisenbahn Küstenbahn Ostfriesland eV) |
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Ochsenhausen - Warthausen (750mm gauge) (Öchsle Schmalspurbahn eV) (not operating in 2001) |
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Oschatz - Kemmlitz (750mm gauge) (Förderverein Wilder Robert) |
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Osnabrück - Mettingen (Eisenbahn Tradition eV) |
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Osnabrück-Piesberg - Osnabrück-Eversburg (Osnabrücker Dampflokfreunde eV) |
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Plettenberg Köbbinghauser Hammer - Hüinghausen (metre gauge) (Märkische Museums Eisenbahn eV |
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Rahden - Uchte (Museums Eisenbahn Minden eV) |
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Ramsen: Eiswoog - Bockbachtal (600mm gauge) (Stumpfwaldbahn Ramsen eV) |
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Rinteln - Barntrup (Landeseisenbahn Lippe eV) |
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Rinteln - Stadthagen (Dampfeisenbahn Weserbergland eV) |
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St Tönis - Krefeld Nord - Hülser Berg (Städtische Werke Krefeld AG) |
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Scheuerfeld - Weitefeld (Eisenbahnfreunde Betzdorf eV) |
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Schönberg - Schönberger Strand (Verein Verkehrsamateure und Museumsbahn eV) |
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Schönheide - Stützengrün (750mm gauge) (Museumsbahn Schönheide/Carlsfeld eV) |
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Schwichtenberg - Uhlenhorst (600mm gauge) (Mecklenburg-Pommersche Schmalspurbahn-Freunde eV) |
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Soltau - Döhle (Verkehrsvereine Soltau) |
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Spiekeroog Pferdebahn (metre gauge horse tramway) |
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Treysa - Oberaula (Eisenbahnfreunde Schwalm-Knüll eV) |
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Verden (Aller) - Stemmen (Verdener Eisenbahnfreunde eV) |
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Voldagsen - Duingen (Dampfzug Betriebs Gemeinschaft eV) |
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Wesel Hafenbahn (Historischer Schienenverkehr Wesel eV) |
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Wilstedt - Zeven Nord (Eisenbahnfreunde der WZTE Zeven eV) (no service to Heeslingen, except Niklausfahrten) |
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Weisswasser - Bad Muskau (600mm gauge) (Waldeisenbahn Muskau eV) |
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Weisswasser - Kromlau (600mm gauge) (Waldeisenbahn Muskau eV) |
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Westerstede - Sedelsberg (Verkehrsverein Westerstede) |
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Wiesbaden-Dotzheim - Hohenstein (Nassau) (Nassauische Touristikbahn eV) |
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Wuppertal Kohlfurther Brücke - Greuel (metre gauge electric tramway) (Bergische Museumsbahnen eV) |
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Zollhaus Blumberg - Weizen (Stadt Blumberg) |
A special category are Parkeisenbahnen, which are complex miniature railways where operations closely follow the prototype. Almost all of these were developed in the former DDR as "Pioneer Railways", and used to provide basic railway training to young communists. That in Wuhlheide Park, Berlin was officially part of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, with its locomotives allocated to Berlin-Pankow depot.
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Berlin Wuhlheide Parkeisenbahn (600mm gauge) |
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Britzer Museumsbahn, Berlin (600mm gauge) (in the former western sector; built for a garden festival) |
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Parkeisenbahn Krumbholz, Bernburg |
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Parkeisenbahn Chemnitz |
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Parkeisenbahn Cottbus |
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Parkeisenbahn Dresden |
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Karlsruhe Schlossgartenbahn |
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Parkeisenbahn Auensee, Leipzig |
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Killesberg-Kleinbahn, Stuttgart www.killesberg-kleinbahn.de |
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Parkeisenbahn Vatterode |
Timetables and other information about tourist lines are published annually in "Kursbuch der Deutschen Museums-Eisenbahn" (Verlag Uhle & Kleinmann, Postfach 15 43, 32295 Lübbecke: fax +49 5741 90224). Also at www.parkeisenbahn.de/anderepe.htm.
Metro: Berlin, Hamburg, München, Nürnberg. A number of other cities have underground tram routes, known as U-Bahn or Stadtbahn, including Bielefeld, Bochum, Bonn, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Essen, Frankfurt am Main, Gelsenkirchen, Hannover, Kassel, Köln, Ludwigshafen, Mannheim, Mühlheim (Ruhr) and Stuttgart. Some of the cars used on the Essen system were acquired from Docklands Light Railway, London.
Trams: Augsburg, Bad Schandau, Berlin, Bielefeld, Bochum, Bonn, Brandenburg, Braunschweig, Bremen, Chemnitz, Cottbus, Darmstadt, Dessau, Dortmund, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Erfurt, Essen, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Oder, Freiburg (Breisgau), Gelsenkirchen, Gera, Görlitz, Gotha, Halberstadt, Halle (Saale), Hannover, Heidelberg, Jena, Karlsruhe, Kassel, Köln, Krefeld, Leipzig, Ludwigshafen, Magdeburg, Mainz, Mannheim, Mülheim (Ruhr), München, Nordhausen, Nürnberg, Plauen, Potsdam, Rostock, Rüdersdorf, Schwerin, Strausberg, Stuttgart, Ulm, Woltersdorf, Würzburg, Zwickau. Many neighbouring systems are interlinked. It is possible to travel entirely by tram, changing cars several times, all the way from Benrath (south of Düsseldorf) to Witten (east of Bochum). This is reputed to be the longest possible journey by tram anywhere in the world.
Trolleybuses: Eberswalde, Esslingen, Solingen.
Recent and Future Changes:
Following the unification of Germany in 1990, the two railway systems Deutsche Bundesbahn and Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR) were amalgamated as a government-owned company, Deutsche Bahn AG (DB) on 1 January 1994. Since then DB has been re-organised on a divisional basis, as a prelude to privatisation, but with strong central control. Plans to float parts of DB, particularly the Reise and Touristik long-distance business, have been disrupted because forecast profits have not been made. DB as a whole is suffering unexpectedly high losses, principally due to overspending on major infrastructure projects. This is expected to result in other infrastructure plans being cut back and early sale of non-core businesses in the Holding & Gesellschaften division.
Extensive work has been undertaken to re-open lines across the former border between East and West Germany, and it is now extremely difficult to see where the border was. Most railways were rebuilt on their previous alignment, but the line from Stapelburg to Vienenburg is new, replacing that to Bad Harzburg. It is unlikely any others will be re-opened, though there have been suggestions that Dederleben - Jerxheim and Teistungen - Wulften might be reinstated. Unification has resulted in major changes to the railway system in Berlin, as most lines that were severed by the wall have been reinstated. Most ex-DR main lines have been entirely rebuilt and there have been several electrification schemes. Extensive modernisation and rebuilding of stations has taken place. Reconstruction of main routes is now largely complete, but rebuilding and doubling of secondary routes continues, subject to financial constraints. This can lead to lengthy temporary closures of lines, but details are usually given in the Kursbuch, complete with temporary timetables. It is temporary closures, rather than major timetable changes, that tend to dictate the need for timetable supplements.
During the 1980s DB started building high speed lines, the first being from Hannover to Würzburg and Mannheim to Stuttgart. The high speed line between Lehrte and Berlin-Spandau was completed in 1998 and the first section of that from Köln to Frankfurt am Main opened in May 1999, including a new station at Frankfurt Flughafen. The Siershahn branch was diverted through a new interchange station at Montabaur on the high speed line in July 2000. Another high speed line is under construction between Nürnberg and Ingolstadt, but it is unlikely that any others will be built for some time, on environmental and financial grounds. Work is under way to build a north-south main line through the centre of Berlin.
The railway bridge at Wolgast to the island of Usedom opened to passengers on 28 May 2000, as did the branch from Langenhagen to Hannover Flughafen and the cross-border line from Klingenthal to Kraslice (Czech Republic). Rail traffic also resumed between Kremmen and Neuruppin, following several years' closure for reconstruction. The service from Andernach to Mayen West was extended to Kasiersesch from 6 August 2000.
A passenger service to Dresden Flughafen is to commence operation on 24 March 2001. This will use the previously-closed branch from Dresden Klotzsche to Grenzstraße, which has been extended to the airport. A curve avoiding Neuenmarkt-Wirsberg station is under construction. This will allow trains to run direct between Bayreuth and Hof and will be used by passenger services between Nürnberg and Dresden from June 2001. The Dürener Kreisbahn is to operate a passenger service between Jülich and Linnich from June 2001. There are plans to re-open many other lines to passengers. A passenger service is to be reintroduced between Gronau and Eschede (Netherlands) in 2001.
Train services are to be withdrawn from the Chemnitz to Stollberg (Sachs) branch, which is to be converted to a light rail line and connected to the city tram system. The Stendal side of Wittenberge station is to close and a new connection to the Berlin side will enable all trains to use that part of the station. The Cottbus to Guben line is being re-routed between Cottbus and Peitz Ost, in order to allow extension of opencast mining.
There were extensive cuts in the passenger network in West Germany during the 1970s and 1980s, mainly involving little-used rural lines. This has largely come to an end and some railways are reopening. The former DDR had a public transport system appropriate for a population where the level of car ownership was very low, and most vehicles were unsuitable for long journeys. As a result traffic has fallen away severely on many local lines, and large numbers have closed. Poor infrastructure has also forced closure, and some train services have been withdrawn at very short notice.
Lines possibly closing by June 2001 are:
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209.33 -Treuenbrietzen - Jüterbog |
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209.50 - Neustadt (Dosse) - Rathenow |
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209.54 - Löwenberg (Mark) - Herzberg (Mark) |
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220 - Horka - Niesky |
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236 - Eibau - Varnsdorf |
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248 - Bad Schandau - Sebnitz |
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307- Hohenwulsch - Kalbe |
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341 - Könnern - Baalberge |
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519 - Pockau-Lengefeld - Neuhausen |
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529 - Wechselburg - Rochlitz |
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531 - Leipzig Bayer. Bf - Leipzig-Connewitz |
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566 - Ilmenau - Ilmenau Bad |
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576 - Bad Salzungen - Vacha |
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598 - Bleicherode Ost - Großbodungen |
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599 - Leinefelde - Teistungen |
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624 - Herborn - Hartenrod |
The funding of local transport, including railways, now rests with the Länder (Provinces) and in some areas responsibility has been devolved to the Kreis (Districts). Western Länder are generally supportive of rail. Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz, in particular, have been active in promoting rail re-openings. The poorer, Eastern Länder cannot so easily afford to support rail services. There have been particularly extensive closures in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (one of the least-populated parts of Germany) and Brandenburg. Sachsen has a stated preference for bus services in rural areas, and lines in this Land are particularly at risk.
In order to improve its poor financial position, DB intends to cease operating Inter-Regio, semi-fast long distance services, which are a loss-making part of DB Reise and Touristik. It is intended to replace them with Regional Express trains, worked by DB Regio. DB expects that these will be subsidised by the Länder, which are most unhappy about the plans.
The German railways were never entirely nationalised, with various independent lines surviving, particularly in Baden-Württemberg. Now Länder are tendering the operation of local passenger services, and many independent operators have won tenders in competition with DB. In some cases these are long-established, local railway companies, expanding out of their own network. Some operators are entirely new and foreign companies, including Connex, have taken responsibility for some services.
In many cases the new operator has started out with elderly railbuses acquired second hand, but new rolling stock is rapidly being acquired. RegioSprinters and other lightweight railbuses, are entering service with both DB and the private operators. DB has been having less success with various types of tilting diesel trains, which are only just starting to give reliable service. There is an increasing tendency, especially in the West, for local trains to be worked by diesel units even if on electrified lines. The diesel trains can be worked by one man, whereas most local electric trains are worked by locomotives and require at least two crew members.
Open access long-distance passenger and freight operation is possible in Germany. Increasing numbers of open access freight operations are starting, but there has been limited success with passenger services. Georg Verkehrs has operated overnight trains between Berlin and Malmö since 25 September 2000, but a Eurobahn service between Bielefeld and Köln ceased after only a few weeks' operation, due to lack of use. The position may change because DB Netz has been ordered to charge independent operators the same prices for track access as the train-operating divisions of DB, which have received substantial discounts.
Long distance trains are increasingly fixed-formation, with push-pull operation becoming more common. Conventional locomotive-working is increasingly confined to international and overnight trains.
Corridor Trains (Korridorzüge)
There are routes outside Germany which are used by domestic DB services running between one part of the country and another. Passengers travelling between German stations are not subject to border or customs controls. Domestic German tickets are valid, but those sold at DB stations in Switzerland are priced in Swiss Francs. Routes used by these trains are:
Hagenwerder - Hirschfelde via Krzewina Zgorzelecka (Poland) [DB table 231]:
Used by local trains between Görlitz and Zittau, all of which call at Krzewina Zgorzelecka (to serve the German village of Ostritz).
Bietingen - Erzingen (Baden) via Schaffhausen (Switzerland) [DB table 730]:
Used by trains between Waldshut and Singen (Hohentwiel). Although a corridor line for DB ticketing purposes, trains call intermediately in Switzerland and through passengers are deemed - for border control purposes - to be entering and leaving Switzerland.
Neusalza-Spremberg - Taubenheim (Spree) via Czech Republic [DB table 235]:
Used by trains between Ebersbach and Dresden.
Raun - Bad Brambach via Czech Republic [DB table 544]:
Used by trains between Adorf (Vogtland) and Bad Brambach.
Passengers travelling between German stations via Basel Bad Bf (Switzerland) are not subject to border or customs controls, provided they remain within the station. This enables connections to be made between tables 702, 730 and 735 without formally entering Switzerland.
Special notes:
DB trains come into a number of distinct categories, thus:
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S-Bahn: Local trains in urban areas, generally using segregated tracks |
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SE, RB & RE: Various categories of local train, Stadt Express, Regional Bahn and Regional Express. There is little difference between these in terms of type of rolling stock and facilities provided, but RE stop at fewer stations and are somewhat faster. |
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IR (Inter Regio): Semi-fast, long distance trains, usually with catering facilities. A supplement may be charged for short journeys, and local tickets in urban areas are generally not valid on IR trains. |
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IC (InterCity): Long distance expresses, making limited stops. A supplement (currently 7DM) is payable, increased to 9DM if paid on the train. Supplement tickets can usually be purchased from ticket machines at stations, as well as from booking offices. |
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EC (EuroCity): Similar to IC, but work international journeys. Supplements are as on IC trains. |
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ICE (InterCity Express): High speed, long distance electric trains worked with special rolling stock. Special fares are payable on these trains, and if purchasing a ticket for a route on which ICE trains operate it is important to specify which type of train it is intended to use. It is usually possible to make a slower, but cheaper, trip by IR or IC service. |
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ICN (InterCityNight), ECN (EuroCityNight) and CNL (CityNightLine): Various categories of overnight train. |
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D-Zug: This designation is derived from Durchgang, the German for passageway or corridor. Appropriate trains were designated D-Züge when corridor coaches were first introduced, and the term remained in use until largely replaced by IC and IR. Remaining D-Züge include long distance services not fitting one of the above categories, including overnight trains using older types of rolling stock and international trains not to EC standards (such as the Oostende - Köln service). |
DB retains a kilometric fare scale, but is soon to change to market pricing. Bargain tickets include Sparpreise and SuperSparpreise which are roughly equivalent to British Savers and SuperSavers, and subject to similar restrictions. Guten Abend tickets enable long journeys to be made cheaply between 19:00 (14:00 on Saturdays) and 02:00. Among the most useful tickets is the Schönes Wochenend Ticket, which gives unlimited travel for up to five people travelling together on all local trains (S-Bahn, SE, RB and RE) on Saturday or Sunday. The ticket is also valid on many tram, U-Bahn and bus services and costs 40DM. Länder Tickets, available in Bayern, Baden Wüttemberg, Brandenburg (including Berlin), Mecklenburg Vorpommern & Schleswig Holstein (including Hamburg), Niedersachsen (including Bremen and Hamburg) and Rheinland Pflaz & Saarland, give unlimited travel for one day throughout the Land concerned on local trains. They are available Mondays to Fridays 09:00 to 16:00 and 18:00 to 03:00. The price is 40DM, except that for Rheinland Pfalz & Saarland is 30DM.
A few services operate only during school term time, or are extensively altered during school holidays. The dates of holidays varies from Land to Land, but details are given in the Kursbuch.
The service between Leer and Nieuweschans is subject to interruption periodically, because the railway bridge over the River Ems has to be removed every time a ship of significant size makes its delivery voyage from the Meyer Werft yard at Papenburg.
Maps:
DB's Offizielle Streckenkarte der Deutschen Bahnen, which is widely available, shows all German railways on a sheet map at a scale of 1:750.000, with a 1:375.000 enlargement of the Ruhr area. This distinguishes single and double track lines, narrow gauge and electrified railways. Depiction of complex areas can be confusing, particularly because four-track railways are marked as two adjacent double track lines. Colouring indicates lines used by express trains and the frequency of service. Rivers, canals and autobahnen are marked, with shading to indicate hills and mountains.
Fahrplankarte für Bus und Bahn Deutschland published by Verkehrsclub Deutschland is a geographically-representative network diagram at a scale of 1:750.000, with enlargements for various city areas. Colour is used to indicate the nature of a service along a railway, and the thickness of the line indicates service frequency. Railways used by several different services are depicted by a parallel line for each. Use of pale green to indicate S-Bahn services means that these are hardly visible. Non-passenger lines are not marked, but inter-urban bus routes are. Rivers, canals and relief are shown.
Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland published by Schweers and Wall (ISBN 3-89494-113-8), shows railways at 1:300.000 scale, with enlargements for the Ruhr and principal cities. Single and double-track lines, electrified and freight-only railways are distinguished. Private lines are identified and named, DB lines used by other passenger train operators are marked and the gauge of narrow-gauge lines is stated. Lines out of use and those entirely closed are also shown. Details can be confused in congested areas, particularly because parallel lines are used to show railways with more than two tracks. Rivers, canals and forests are marked.
RV Verlag road maps and atlases at 1:200.000 scale show railways generally comprehensively and accurately. Closed railways may remain marked for some time after track has been lifted. RV Verlag publications are widely available in Germany, including at station bookshops.
Last complete update 2 August 1998; minor amendments 27 September 1998; general Private and Tourist Lines update 19 April 1999; general update, and Private Railways moved to separate document, 13 October 1999; Recent and future changes updated 8 November 1999; Corridor Trains moved from "Obscure Services" pages (1 December 1999); general update, and "Maps" added (7 January 2000); timetable maps notes added (11 January 2000); SWT price updated (23 December 2000); general update (25 February 2001); Horka - Niesky added to June 2001 closure threat list (20 March 2001); Großschönau (Sachs) - Seifhennersdorf removed from Corridor Trains section (1 July 2001); Currency updated (2 January 2002); Tourist Lines (Parkeisenbahnen), Metro, Trams & Trolleybuses updated (1 June 2003); URL of this page changed (20 January 2006).
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