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hide options panelSylt Shuttle
48 photos
updated : 2016-06-02
The Sylt Shuttle is a DB Autozug car carrying operation linking the island of Sylt with Niebüll on the mainland. It's a bit like the Channel Tunnel but with no tunnel and diesel haulage. Trains run as frequently as half hourly, carrying all types of road vehicle from articulated lorries to cars and motorbikes.
Foreign Locos
42 photos
updated : 2017-05-29
Germany sees a lot of foreign locos on its railways, partly because it has land borders with no fewer than nine other countries and partly because German independent operators have often found it easier to acquire second hand locos from railways abroad than from DB, their main competitor.
ICEs
18 photos
updated : 2022-08-29
ICE (Inter City Express) is the name DB gives to its high-speed services and the various fixed formation trainsets that operate them. The earlier ICEs, dating from 1989, are formed of power cars and coaches, while later units have power distributed along the train. Apart from accident victims, all are still in use.
EMUs
48 photos
updated : 2022-08-29
Electric railcars and EMUs have been used in Germany since the early 1900s and the a huge variety of designs can bee seen. These range from tram type vehicles trundling along rural branch lines to the high capacity S-Bahn EMUs that keep the cities moving and the ICEs speeding between them at 300km/h.
Independent Operators
315 photos
updated : 2022-08-31
Germany has many independent railway operators, some large international firms or foreign state operators, others small niche operators or preservation groups with one or two locos for hire. It makes for a vibrant scene with a variety of loco types and liveries working passenger and freight trains all over Germany.
Electrics
416 photos
updated : 2022-08-31
Germany was a pioneer of 15kV 16.7Hz AC electrification in the early 20th Century and the electrified network now covers virtually all major routes and many secondary lines as well. A wide variety of electric locomotives, ancient and modern, are in use with DB and independent operators.
DMUs
125 photos
updated : 2022-09-02
There had been diesel railcars in Germany for many years but DMUs didn't really take off until the end of the 20th Century. Now they're everywhere. From rural branchlines to long cross country routes between major cities like Dresden and Nürnberg, DMUs now rule the rails, away from the wires at least.
Freight
386 photos
updated : 2022-09-04
Germany has a flourishing independent rail freight sector and competition has encouraged DB to sharpen it's act, resulting in more traffic for the state operator as well. The vast majority of freight runs on electrified lines but I've made a point of seeking out the best diesel freight workings as well.
Diesels
636 photos
updated : 2022-12-03
Germany is one of the few countries to persevere with large diesel-hydraulic locos, although diesel-electrics are also in widespread use. DB operates a large but shrinking fleet of both types and the independent sector uses a wide variety of classes including old favourites and modern designs.
Loco Hauled Passengers
662 photos
updated : 2022-12-03
Germany still has some locomotive hauled passenger trains although DMUs and EMUs are rapidly taking over all types of service. Although the majority of loco-hauled services are operated by DB, the independent sector operates a few long distance trains and a number of regional services.
Germany has one of the largest and busiest railway systems in Europe with most important routes electrified. There's plenty of freight traffic on the main routes and frequent passenger trains on most lines. Add some attractive scenery and a wide variety of liveries and you have an excellent place to photograph trains
