Prinz Eugen (train)

The ''Prinz Eugen'' was an express train that linked northern Germany with Wien Westbf in Vienna, Austria. Introduced in 1971, it was operated by the Deutsche Bundesbahn / Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).

The train was named after Prince Eugene of Savoy, who was one of the most successful military commanders in modern European history, rising to the highest offices of state at the Imperial court in Vienna.

History

Over the years, the northern terminus, route, classification and formation (consist) of the ''Prinz Eugen'' varied significantly. However, the route always included the main line between Würzburg Hbf, in Germany, and Wien Westbf, in Vienna, via Passau Hbf, on the border between Germany and Austria.

During the train's time as a Trans Europ Express (TEE), its route was originally Bremen – Würzburg – Nuremberg – Vienna, but in 1976 was altered to Hannover – Cologne – Frankfurt – Würzburg – Nuremberg – Vienna. It was the only TEE route ever to serve Vienna. In the 1970s, it was one of just three TEEs to run within Austria, the others being the ''Mediolanum'' and the '' Blauer Enzian'', Nock, O.S. (1978). "Trans-Europe Expresses", in ''World Atlas of Railways'', pp. 86–87. New York: Mayflower Books (original publisher: Artists House, London, UK). . but later, a short-lived, summer-only branch of the TEE '' Rheingold'' terminated in Salzburg, in 1985 and 1986 only.

The ''Prinz Eugen'' final day as a TEE was 27 May 1978, and on the following day it was reclassified as a two-class InterCity (IC).'' Thomas Cook International Timetable'' (August 1978 edition), p. 74. Peterborough, UK: Thomas Cook Publishing. This train, which initially kept the same route, was first-class-only between Hannover and Frankfurt, and carried both first- and second-class cars between Frankfurt and Vienna. On 1 June 1980, the route of the IC ''Prinz Eugen'' was changed to Hamburg – Würzburg – Nuremberg – Vienna.''Thomas Cook International Timetable'' (March 1–April 5, 1980 edition), pp. 107, 589. This was almost identical to the train's 1971–1976 route, except north of Hannover, where the route now ran to/from Hamburg instead of Bremen.

On 31 May 1987, the ''Prinz Eugen'' was included in the then-newly introduced EuroCity (EC) network.''Thomas Cook European Timetable, Thomas Cook Continental Timetable'' (May 1–30, 1987 edition), pp. 67, 472–473. Its route remained unchanged until 2 June 1991, when it again returned to a routing via Cologne and Frankfurt, now running Hamburg – Bremen – Cologne – Frankfurt – Würzburg – Nuremberg – Vienna.''Thomas Cook European Timetable'' (April 1991 edition), pp. 90, 516–519.

On 24 May 1998, the ''Prinz Eugen'' became an Intercity-Express (ICE) train, still connecting Hamburg with Vienna but reverting again to a more direct routing, Hamburg – Hannover – Würzburg – Nuremberg – Vienna."Summer services from May 24". ''Thomas Cook European Timetable'' (May 1–23, 1998 edition), pp. 3 and 531; also pp. 77, 538.

The ''Prinz Eugen'' ceased to be a named train in 2004.

See also

* History of rail transport in Austria
* History of rail transport in Germany
* List of named passenger trains of Europe

References

Notes

Bibliography

*
*
*
*

External links

{{EuroCity trains

EuroCity
International named passenger trains
Named passenger trains of Germany
Named passenger trains of Austria
Trans Europ Express
Railway services introduced in 1971
Railway services discontinued in 2004