Vindobona - legendary European express – started operation 60 years ago

Sixty years ago, on 13th January 1957, the legendary Vindobona train linking Berlin, Prague and Vienna rode for the first time. In regular operation Vindobona appeared with a new timetable at the beginning of the summer of 1957. At that time, Vindobona was one of the most luxurious and fastest trains in Eastern Europe, and it was different from the other classic steam trains as it was operated by an elegant motor unit. The first journey for journalists was to introduce the new, fast and convenient train connections to the general public, the elegant aerodynamic shape of the motor units symbolized this legend until 1979, and during each of their journeys, they attracted the attention of passers-by, passengers and railway employees.

Vindobona has been one of the fastest trains in Eastern Europe since the beginning of its operations, although today's travel times may seem ridiculously long. Compared to regular trains, however, the Express was tens of minutes faster, at the beginning of the operation shortened the journey from Berlin to Vienna for 12 hours and 15 minutes, which was six hours less than the fastest connection ever. The route between Prague and Berlin was offended in less than 6 hours, almost an hour faster than the current fastest train.

The legendary Berlin-Prague-Vienna train was named from the beginning after the Latin name of Vienna city - Vindobona.

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A new software package to automate train delay refund process

One of the biggest problems in railway industry comes from delays. Delays are a real headache for passengers and companies. In a co-modal route a delay means that the passenger will lose the next transport mean. From company side this is a difficult situation because it has to reimburse the angry passenger.

ESP Group’s Joyrneycall business and Barclays designed a new software package to serve this problem. DelayCheck software verifies the delay and refund the ticket to the passenger. This new app works in more than one operator and automatically finds the correct company and applies the appropriate policy.

Managing Director of Journeycall believes that this new app is going to help the costumers and reduce the operating cost of operators.

The presentation of DelayCheck has been attended by 30 representatives of rail industry. The app will be ready for the passengers from 1st of October.

LDz and CZ Loko reconstructing a diesel locomotive so to work with hydrogen

The new trend for all transportation companies is to reduce oil and diesel consumption and replace it with “greener” one like electrical energy, biodiesel and hydrogen.
Now, good news comes from Latvian Railway –LDZ. LDZ, CZ Loko and Ballard Power Systems signed a memorandum of understanding for producing a hydrogen fuel cell locomotive using components from an old CME3 diesel shunting locomotive.

SNFC enables Google Indoor Maps in 3.000 stations

Google indoor maps is an innovative tool invented by Google. Users have the ability to navigate themselves in public places like airports, museums, universities etc. Users can view different floors or a train station by clicking on a lever selector that is displayed near the structures.

SNFC, major French railway operator and one of the biggest railway companies in Europe, announced a partnership with Google so to provide 3.000 train stations in Indoor Maps service. This happening in the same period Euro 2016 going on and GYM team hopes that other European railway companies will follow this new innovation.

Arriva signed new agreement for providing wifi

Arriva is a UK public transport company owned by Deutsche Bahn. Arriva operates buses, trains and trams in 14 countries across Europe.

Arriva listened to passengers needs and signed a new contract for wifi with ICOMERA. ICOMERA already provides internet to Arriva buses. Digital transformation director of Arriva trains believes that is very important for a passenger to be connected in the internet when travelling. Experience shows that passengers use free internet for browsing, checking social media and working.

TRAINOSE restarts international routes

Are you afraid of airplanes? Do you hate buses? And why lots of people prefer trains even if in most cases airplanes are cheaper and faster?

First of all trains are cheaper for short distance travelling. Secondly railways have stable fares. Trains have the same ticket prices even if there are holidays, weekends etc. With train passengers can handle much more baggage than airplanes. Also most of the times train stations located in the centre of capitals. This saves passengers for taking a TAXI.

World biggest tunnel inaugurated in Switzerland

A new tunnel inaugurated in Alps. This new 57km long tunnel disappears Alps from railway maps. From now on movement of people and goods from North to South will be easier. Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande and Matteo Renci travelled together with 1000 passengers in this new trip. In the attached image, the first train, that comes out of Gotthard tunnel is shown.

Deutsche Bahn invests in long- distance high speed passenger trains

Deutsche Bahn is going to run a new investment for ICE trains by 2030. Trains will be faster, they will pass more frequently and in much more routes.

Everybody from railway industry has knowledge of the quality of ICE trains. High prices and the plane competitor shrank ICE market. Deutsche Bahn trying to recover the king of high speed trains and long distance passenger trains in general.

A new €12 bn investment by 2030 for ICE trains is going to run from Deutsche Bahn.Trains will be faster, they will pass more frequent and in much more routes.

Deutsche Bahn passenger App now offered for three more regions in Germany

Deutsche Bahn holds one of the most popular platforms for trains in EU region. DB passenger App added three new regions in this app. These are the regions Baden-Wurttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.

In this app user can create communities so to travel together with low prices. They can rate ther fellows and they can add them as favourites. They can also set preferences in search of the right fellow.

The app was designed in cooperation with students from TU Munich. Since now app has 25.000 users.