Karwendel (train)

Karwendel
VT 11.5 (Class 601) in DB Touristik livery
Overview
Service type	Schnellzug (1930-1940) Touristik (1969–1987) EuroCity (EC) (1987–1988) Intercity (IC) (1988–2007) ICE (since 2008)
Locale	Germany  Austria
First service	1930
Current operator(s)	Deutsche Bahn
Former operator(s)	DRG Deutsche Bundesbahn
Route
Start	Munich / Hamburg
End	Innsbruck /Seefeld, Tirol
Line used	Karwendelbahn
Technical
Rolling stock	DRG E 16 (1930-1940) VT 11.5 BR 120 ICE (since 2008)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Electrification	15 kV AC

The Karwendel is an international train service between Germany and Austria. The train was named after the mountain range forming the German-Austrian border south of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The train was introduced as Karwendel Express in 1930 by the Deutsche Reichsbahn, linking Münich with Innsbruck using the scenic route through the mountains with the border crossing at Mittenwald and calling at the 1936 Winter Olympics venues in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The operation ceased in World War II. In 1969 the Deutsche Bundesbahn reintroduced the train using VT 11.5 diesel multiple units, superfluous after their withdrawal from TEE services.^[1] The train was classified as touristtrain serving several wintersport resorts along the Karwendelbahn between Garmisch and Seefeld. The service started in Frankfurt am Main, much farther north then the pre-war start at Munich. The TEE-logo at the front of the VT 11.5 was replaced by the DB -logo. On 31 May 1987 it was one of the initial EuroCity services.^[2] The EuroCity started as far north as Hamburg but its initial southern terminus Innsbruck was already changed to Seefeld by September 1987 and after only one year as EuroCity the train was converted into an Intercity^[3] Since 2008 the Karwendel has been an ICE service, with Berlin the northern terminus.

References

Works cited