Helvetia (train)

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Helvetia
TEE Train DB Class VT 11.5.jpg
Overview
Service typeFernschnellzug (F)
(1952–1957)
Trans Europ Express (TEE)
(1957–1979)
Intercity (IC)
(1979–1987)
EuroCity (EC)
(1987–1991)
Intercity-Express (ICE)
(1992–2002)
StatusNo longer a named train
LocaleGermany
Switzerland
First service18 May 1952 (1952-05-18)
Last service2002 (2002)
Former operator(s)Deutsche Bundesbahn /
Deutsche Bahn (DB)
SBB-CFF-FFS
Route
StartHamburg-Altona
EndZürich HB
Service frequencyDaily
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Electrification15 kV AC, 16.7 Hz
Route map
TEE Helvetia 1957.svg

The Helvetia was an express train that, for most of its existence, linked Hamburg-Altona station in Hamburg, Germany, with Zürich HB in Zurich, Switzerland. Introduced in 1952, it was operated by the Deutsche Bundesbahn / Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB-CFF-FFS). The train's name, Helvetia, is the Latin word for "Switzerland".

Initially, the Helvetia was a Schnellzug (D), later a Fernschnellzug (F - although actually diesel multiple units were used on this service). In 1957, it became a first-class-only Trans Europ Express (TEE). On 27 May 1979, it was reclassified as a two-class Intercity (IC),[1] and on 31 May 1987, it was included in the then-new EuroCity (EC) network.[2] Following a brief hiatus in 1991–1992, it was reintroduced as an Intercity-Express (ICE). It ceased to be a named train at the end of 2002.

On 12 August 1965, the Helvetia was involved in a serious collision in Lampertheim, Hesse, in which the train formation (consist) was severely damaged, and four people lost their lives.

See also[]

References[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Thomas Cook International Timetable (May 27–June 30, 1979 edition), p. 6. Peterborough, UK: Thomas Cook Publishing.
  2. ^ Thomas Cook Continental Timetable (May 31–June 30, 1987 edition), pp. 472, 475. Thomas Cook Publishing.

Bibliography[]

  • Goette, Peter (2008). TEE-Züge in Deutschland [TEE Trains in Germany]. Freiburg i.B.: EK-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-88255-698-8. (in German)
  • Malaspina, Jean-Pierre; Mertens, Maurice (2007). TEE: la légende des Trans-Europ-Express [TEE: The Legend of the Trans Europ Express]. Auray: LR Presse. ISBN 978-29-03651-45-9. (in French)
  • Malaspina, Jean-Pierre; Mertens, Maurice (2008). TEE: la leggenda dei Trans-Europ-Express [TEE: The Legend of the Trans Europ Express]. Salò: ETR – Editrice Trasporti su Rotaie. ISBN 978-88-85068-31-5. (in Italian)
  • Mertens, Maurice; Malaspina, Jean-Pierre; von Mitzlaff, Berndt (2009). TEE - Die Geschichte des Trans-Europ-Express [TEE - The History of the Trans Europ Express]. Düsseldorf: Alba Publikation. ISBN 978-3-87094-199-4. (in German)

External links[]

  • Media related to Helvetia at Wikimedia Commons
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