Interexpress
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | International network of express trains |
| Status | Defunct |
| Locale |
Czechoslovakia GDR Hungary Poland |
| First service | 1986 |
| Last service | 1991 |
| Successor | Various, including EuroCity |
| Former operator(s) |
ČSD DR MÁV PKP |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | First and second class |
Interexpress (abbreviated as "IEx") is a former international train category. The word Interexpress is a short form version of the German language term Internationaler Express (English: International Express) and its foreign language equivalents.
Interexpress services operated between 1986 and 1991 as express trains between Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic (GDR), Hungary and Poland.
History
In the mid 1980s, the State railways of Czechoslovakia (Československé státní dráhy (ČSD)), the GDR (Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR)), Hungary (Magyar Államvasutak (MÁV)) and Poland (Polskie Koleje Państwowe (PKP)) decided to introduce the Interexpress train category for high value passenger train traffic between these four countries.
In 1986, a few Schnellzug-category trains were converted into IEx trains. This conversion anticipated by one year the equivalent transformation of international express train traffic by the Western European rail operators, which introduced their own new EuroCity system only in 1987.
Following the political changes in central Europe in 1989/1990, there was no longer any demand for an isolated train service offering for international travellers. In 1991, the IEx trains were therefore either discontinued, or converted to EuroCity trains or Schnellzug category services.
Trains
The following trains operated as Interexpresses:
| IEx | Name | Route |
|---|---|---|
| IEx 1/2 | Silesia | Praha hl.n. – Warszawa Wschodnia |
| IEx 9/10 | Polonez | Moscow (Belorussky station) - Warszawa Zachodnia |
| IEx 36/37 | Báthory | Budapest – Warszawa |
| IEx 72/73 | Metropol[1] | Berlin-Lichtenberg – Praha-Holešovice – Budapest |
| IEx 74/75 | Hungaria[2] | Berlin-Lichtenberg – Praha-Holešovice – Budapest |
| IEx 76/77 | Primator | Berlin–Lichtenberg – Praha |
| IEx 78/79 | Progress | Berlin–Lichtenberg – Praha |
| IEx 242/243 | Berolina | Berlin Hauptbahnhof – Warszawa Wschodnia |
The Báthory and the Metropol were overnight trains that also included sleeping and couchette cars.
Some of the IEx trains included through coaches at least occasionally; examples were the Metropol (to Vienna), and the Berolina (from Paris). In 1986/87 and 1987/88, the Hungaria ran coupled together with the D374/375 Vindobona to Vienna, and in summer included through coaches from Malmö in Sweden.
The Progress operated as an IEx train only in 1986/87 and 1987/88 and then reverted to its previous classification. Its IEx formation (consist) included special air-conditioned Komfortwagen in a red-white livery.
The fares charged for travel in IEx trains were in accordance with the normal Schnellzug tariffs. Seat reservations were compulsory for international passengers.
References
Notes
- ↑ The Metropol continued to operate as a EuroNight from Budapest Keleti pályaudvar to Berlin-Wannsee.
- ↑ The Hungaria continues to operate as a EuroCity from Budapest-Keleti to Berlin Hbf.
Bibliography
- Bogula, Rico (2007). Internationale Schnellzüge in der DDR [International Express Trains in the GDR]. Freiburg i.B.: EK-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-88255-720-6. (German)
External links
- Private Website –about the history of the IEx trains (German)
- Train compositions of IEx Trains
This article is based upon a translation of the German language version as at March 2013.