In-principle agreement has been reached with infrastructure manager DB Networks for the operation of a Stuttgart - Hamburg service known as Line D1, which will run via Heilbronn, Würzburg, Hannover and Bremen. The company says these trains will start operating in December, although neither times or fares are currently given on the company's website www.derschnellzug.de.
Plans to offer a Karlsruhe - Dresden service via Heilbronn, Ansbach, Nuremberg and Hof (Line D2) have been delayed by the failure to agree paths on the Albtal Transport (AVG) owned Heilbronn - Grötzingen - Karlsruhe line. A third route (Line D3) is also planned which would link Stuttgart with Aachen via Speyer and the Rhine Valley.
derschnellzug.de is now recruiting onboard staff, who will be based in Heilbronn, Hamburg, Bebra and Hof. According to the company's website the operator plans to expand its network from 2017 onwards. It is currently unclear what rolling stock will be used - as full meal services will be offered it seems likely to be former German Rail (DB) long-distance coaches with restaurant cars, probably leased from one of the existing German charter operators.
