Trains in Germany: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

In Germany there are two companies offering long-distance trains: Deutsche Bahn (formerly state-owned company) and Connex (a new company offering some long-distance services esp. in the east).

• Deutsche Bahn
  • InterCity Express (high speed train either national or on some routes to the Netherlands, to Switzerland and to Austria)
  • InterCity (national long-distance trains)
  • EuroCity (international long-distance trains)
  • EuroNight (sic! international night trains)
  • CityNightLine (sic! special equipped night trains to the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland)
  • NachtZug (sic! national night trains)
  • UrlaubsExpress (sic! national night trains to the Alps during the vacations)
  • Schnellzug (Night trains to Eastern Europe)
  • Thalys (high-speed train to Belgium and France)
  • Cisalpino (to Italy)

• The popular "Interregio-trains" have recently been abolished.

• Connex
  • Interconnex (offers services on former Interregio routes)

• Regional rail traffic is organized by the Federal States. They mostly order locomotives and wagons at Deutsche Bahn, sometimes at Connex or regional companies.
  • RegionalExpress (middle-distance trains offered by Deutsche Bahn)
  • RegionalBahn (short-distance trains offered by Deutsche Bahn)
    • DB Regionalbahn Westfalen
  • S-Bahn (suburban rail transport offered mainly by Deutsche Bahn, sometimes by others)
  • DNR-trains (offered by Connex or others)
    • Nordwestbahn
    • Nord-Ostseebahn

Also see Transportation in Germany