| Intercity (DB) | |
|---|---|
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A DB Intercity train at Bensheim |
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| Locale | Germany |
| Dates of operation | 1971– |
| Predecessor | F-Zug |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Website | www.bahn.com |
Intercity is the second-highest train classification in Germany, after the ICE. Intercity services are loco-hauled express services, usually over long-distances. There are Intercity routes throughout Germany, and routes generally operate with a two-hour frequency, with multiple routes giving a more frequent service on core routes. Intercity services are operated by the DB Fernverkehr sector of Deutsche Bahn.
The Intercity name was introduced in Germany in 1971, replacing the old F-Zug category, and was the top category of train in Germany until the introduction of the ICEs in the early 1990s. With the proliferation of ICE services, the role of IC trains has diminished slightly, and they have taken on the character of many former InterRegio trains. Nonetheless, Intercity trains still offer a very high standard of speed and comfort - all services convey first class accommodation, and most include catering - usually a Bistro Cafe, but some services include a restaurant. A number of Intercity services serve destinations outside of Germany; most of these are under the EuroCity classification.
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The idea for Intercity services on the Deutsche Bundesbahn network was first proposed in 1967, inspired by the success of British Rail's InterCity brand. After some planning, the proposal as approved in 1969, and the services were finally introduced in September 1971, after some delays in delivery of new coaching stock. The original network consisted of four lines, operating every two hours, and connecting the largest cities in West Germany. At this time, Intercity trains were first-class only. The original lines were:
Gradually, the Intercity network started to expand, and with the introduction of the Class 103 locomotives, 200km/h running was possible. Services were increased in frequency to hourly, and second class accommodation was provided - in 1979 this was promoted with the slogan "every hour, every class".
The network continued to evolve throughout the 1980s, and in the early 1990s it saw major changes. One major driving force for this was German reunification, which saw the network expand across the former East Germany, but also the opening of two high-speed lines in 1991: Mannheim to Stuttgart and Hannover to Würzburg. The first generation ICEs were introduced around this time, and took over most services on the Hannover - Fulda corridor, while the remaining services expanded in all directions. The routes in 1992 were as follows:
Meanwhile, a new type of express train - the InterRegio - was created in the late-1980s, replacing the old D-Zug, providing semi-fast services to complement Intercity trains.
The next major change to Intercity services came about in 2002, with the opening of the Cologne–Frankfurt high-speed rail line to largely replace the West Rhine Railway, a major trunk route for Intercity services. While previous high speed lines in Germany had been designed for mixed usage, and could be used by Intercity trains, this line can only be operated by new ICE 3 units. This, along with the introduction of another generation of ICEs, the ICE T, saw large numbers of Intercity routes converted to ICE. Meanwhile, the InterRegio classification was abolished, and many of its services converted into Intercity routes.
As a result, the character of Intercity has changed. Having been on an almost equal footing with the ICE, it is very much secondary. While it still provides a high quality of service, trains now stop more frequently, and are more commonly found on lesser routes. Most current IC trains convey fewer first-class coaches, more open seating as opposed to compartments, and a Bistro Cafe instead of a restaurant, although this is as much a reflection of the changing habits of modern passengers than it is a change in the status of Intercity trains. Lines 30 and 31 - Hamburg to Frankfurt/Stuttgart are the closest in character to a 'classic' Intercity train.
Below are the current services in the Summer 2011 timetable.
Originally, all Intercity services had names, usually named after a famous figure from one of the cities along the route. Nowadays, fewer services are named, usually those that serve the extremities of the rail network. Names are usually taken from a geographical location along the route.
The original Intercity services were hauled by the Class 103 electric locomotives, built in the early-1970s and capable of 200km/h. Lesser routes were operated by Class 110 and 111 locos, but these had a lower maximum speed, and with line speeds increasing, their use became untenable. A new Class 120 was introduced in 1987, and these classes were relegated to Regional duties. In the mid-1990s the Class 101 was introduced, and these locomotives now dominate Intercity services, with the 103s having been largely retired in the early-2000s.
On non-electrified Intercity routes, such as Hamburg to Westerland, or Ulm to Lindau, Class 218 diesel locomotives are used, usually double-headed. For cross-border services, multi-voltage electric locos are needed, such as the Class 181 to France and Luxembourg or the Class 180 into the Czech Republic and Poland.
After German reunification, former Deutsche Reichsbahn locomotives could be found on Intercity services - not only the Class 180s, but the 112 (electric) and 219 (diesel) locos. While the 219s have been retired, the 112s are now solely used on Regional Expresses due to their top speed of 160 km/h.
While most Intercity trains have been loco-hauled, a small number of services have been operated by multiple units: early services were operated by the VT 11.5 and Class 403 TEE units, while Nuremberg to Dresden route, was briefly operated by Class 612 DMUs in Intercity livery. This service is now classified as an Interregio-Express (part of DB Regio) and the units are back in standard DB red.
| Current motive power | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 (Electric loco) | 120 (Electric loco) | 180 (Multi-voltage electric loco) | 181 (Multi-voltage electric loco) | 218 (Diesel loco) |
Early Intercity trains used classic Eurofima stock, shared with TEE and D-Zug expresses, but with the growth of the network in the 1980s, and the inclusion of second class, large numbers of new air-conditioned coaches were built, which are still in use to this day. In the mid-1990s driving trailers were introduced on Intercity and Interregio services, which had the effect of speeding up journey times: many major German railway stations are termini, so a lot of Intercity services include at least one change of direction. With the demise of Interregio in 2002, a large number of IR coaches were incorporated in Intercity services - particularly second class coaches but also the Bistro Café, which has replaced a full restaurant on most routes.
Intercity trains are usually 7 to 11 coaches long, depending on the route. There are one or two first class coaches - one compartment coach, and one open on longer trains. A few routes still use restaurants, but most use a bistro cafe, which also provides half a coach of first-class accommodation. Most of the second class coaches are open, but with some compartments, and some ex-Interregio coaches. Cycle space is provided by the driving trailer, but these are not used on all routes, so there are some non-driving coaches with space for bicycles.
Intercity coaches were originally in the blue and beige colour scheme employed on D-Zug services, with first class coaches in the TEE dark red and beige. A rebranding of the Deutsche Bundesbahn in the mid-1980s saw a new colour scheme for Intercity services, orient red and light grey with a pastel pink stripe in between. When DB adopted traffic red as its corporate colour in the mid-1990s, this replaced orient red, with the pink stripe taken off, before a new livery was introduced in 2000s - based on the Intercity-Express, the coaches are all white with a red stripe.
| Image | Description | Classification | Interior |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st class open | Apmz | ||
| 1st class compartment | Avmz | ||
| Bistro Café / 1st class compartment & open (ex-InterRegio) | ARkimbz | ||
| Restaurant | WRmz | ||
| 2nd class open | Bpmz | ||
| 2nd class open with wheelchair space | Bpmbz | ||
| 2nd class compartment & open | Bvmsz | ||
| 2nd class compartment | Bvmz | ||
| 2nd class ex-InterRegio | Bimz | ||
| 2nd class ex-InterRegio with cycle space | Bimdz | ||
| 2nd class ex-Inter Regio driving trailer | Bimdzf | ||
| 2nd class driving trailer | Bpmdzf |
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