Germany's new high-speed 'Sprinter' trains, which cut more than a third off the time between Munich and Berlin, have made their first runs, though they won't go into passenger service until December.
When they do, they will bring with them major changes in most of Germany's rail network, as hundreds of trains are adjusted and routed to connect properly with the new line, which is expected to be one of the country's busiest. It also completes a trio of major rail initiatives that include new service between Munich and Hamburg, and an every half-hour high-speed connection between Frankfurt and Berlin.
The Munich-to-Berlin line has its roots in Germany's re-unification in 1990, and was seen as an important part of restoring connections between the two parts. The 20-year construction time includes 22 tunnels and 29 bridges on a new 107-kilometre stretch of track through the Thuringian Forest in former East Germany. Trains will travel at speeds up to 300 km/h.
The new route, which cuts travel time from over 6 hours to 3:55, is expected to challenge bus lines and planes that now dominate the route. But not just yet, because in an abundance of caution, rail officials have decided to run the route, on schedule, daily from August to December before taking on passengers. Three trains a day will make the 3:55 time, stopping only in Nurnberg and Erfurt, while others will make the trip in about 4:25 with more stops.
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