Rail transport in Germany
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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 and paid for by the Federal States. Trains are operated by the lowest bidder (usually private companies like Connex or regional companies), although several states have awarded long-term contracts to local DB Regio subsidiaries.
- RegionalExpress (medium-distance trains offered by Deutsche Bahn)
- RegionalBahn (short-distance trains offered by Deutsche Bahn)
- S-Bahn (suburban rail transport offered mainly by Deutsche Bahn, sometimes by others)
- DNR-trains (offered by Connex or others)