Leo Express has formally notified Schienen-Control in Austria of its intention to launch two unusual new open-access rail services: a year-round Bratislava–Ostend line from December 2026, and a seasonal Venice–Heringsdorf / Kiel service beginning in summer 2026. The filings, submitted on 11 December 2025, appear in the Austrian regulator’s register of planned new commercial rail…
Tag: Hamburg
GoVolta re-emerges to offer train services from Amsterdam to Hamburg and to Berlin using Belgian I10 carriages
A re-emerging GoVolta will launch its first international train services to Berlin and Hamburg in Germany on 19 March 2026. From that date, the company will run three weekly services between Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Berlin, and three weekly services between Amsterdam and Hamburg.
Back-on-Track Switzerland wants to save the 2026 Basel–Copenhagen–Malmö night train
Even before its planned launch in April 2026, the Basel-Copenhagen-Malmö night train is under threat due to the possible cancellation of subsidies by the Swiss Federal Parliament. Back-on-Track Switzerland wants to save this future service
Berlin-Hamburg-Stockholm night train saved by RDC Deutschland after Sweden stops subsidies
RDC Deutschland Group has confirmed that it will continue to operate the Berlin-Hamburg-Stockholm night train after the Swedish Government funding ends in summer 2026. The decision secures the future of one of Europe’s key night train routes and reflects the company’s commitment to continuity and sustainable mobility at a time of change in the European…
The best cities for gay cruising? London, Berlin, Paris, Madrid and Barcelona
A new Global Gay Cruising Index published by Erobella in September 2025 reveals where gay men around the world have the best chances for spontaneous erotic encounters, and Europe emerges as the undisputed leader.
Paris Nightjet axed: France’s withdrawal threatens Europe’s night train revival
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) have confirmed that the Nightjet services from Vienna in Austria and Berlin in Germany to Paris in France will be discontinued from 14 December 2025. The decision follows the announcement by the French Ministry of Transport that it will no longer provide state funding for the operation of international night…
2026 | Deutsche Bahn plans 4 ICE’s per day between Cologne and Antwerp and 16 per day between Frankfurt and Brussels
Deutsche Bahn has confirmed in a press release the new Cologne in Germany to Antwerp in Belgium connection. The German train operator presented its plans for 2026.
MÜNSTER | Peace of Westphalia signing venue Friedenssaal at the old Rathaus
The weekend before Christmas 2024, Dennis and I went to Münster in North Rhine-Westphalia for the Weihnachtsmarkt, the Christmas market. Germany is a master in Christmas markets. And a successful excursion to Bonn in 2023 left us wanting a sequel. On our way to Germany on Friday night, we learned about the 2024 Magdeburg Christmas…
CHANNEL TUNNEL | UK and Germany renew London-Berlin vows, Virgin Trains promise Alstom Avelia Stream train sets
Summer break in politics? The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany signed a ‘Joint declaration of intent between DfT and Federal Republic of Germany: direct international rail connection‘ for a direct London to Berlin train. In the mean time, Virgin Trains‘ Richard Branson announced a contract with…
GERMANY | Dessau – Weimar – Coburg – Kassel railroad trip
October 2024. During a week-long whistle-stop tour of Germany, we visit Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt, Weimar in Thuringia, Coburg in Upper Franconia (Bavaria) and Kassel in Hesse. Smaller cities, yes. But each with their own significance. Untouched by overtourism. We’re avoiding using the white trains of DB Fernverkehr, Deutsche Bahn‘s long-distance section and opt to use…
