Deutsche Bahn (DB) has celebrated the 25th anniversary of its high-speed ICE train service.
Launched on June 2, 1991, the first ICE service travelled from Hamburg-Altona to Munich. The trains have since racked up more than 1.8 billion kilometres in service.
The milestone was celebrated on June 2 with a gathering of all four generations of ICE trains – each baring a special anniversary livery.
Germany’s Federal Transport Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, said the ICE had become the image of “modern, comfortable and fast rail transport in Germany”.
Over the last 25 years, the number of ICE trains has increased from 25 to some 250. In 1992, the first international ICE services were launched to Zurich and Basel. Germany’s iconic high-speed trains now travel to six different European countries.
