Deutsche Bundesbahn

Deutsche Bundesbahn
Company type	Government-owned company
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	September 7, 1949; 77 years ago
Defunct	January 1, 1994
Fate	Merged with Deutsche Reichsbahn to form Deutsche Bahn
Headquarters	Frankfurt, West Germany
Area served	West Germany
Key people	Heinz Maria Oeftering (President 1957–1972), Wolfgang Vaerst (President 1972–1982), Reiner Gohlke (President 1982–1990), Heinz Dürr (President 1991–1994)
Number of employees	322,383 (1985)

Deutsche Bundesbahn (, German Federal Railway), commonly abbreviated as DB (), was founded on 7 September 1949 as the national railway company of West Germany, taking over from the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG). It served as West Germany's official state railway until the reunification of Germany, when it combined with the East German Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR) to establish Deutsche Bahn on 1 January 1994.

Background

In the aftermath of World War II, railway operations were administered by Allied military authorities within their respective occupation zones. On 10 October 1946, rail services in the British and American zones merged under the name Deutsche Reichsbahn im Vereinigten Wirtschaftsgebiet, whereas the French zone created the Südwestdeutsche Eisenbahn in June 1947. The formation of the Federal Republic of Germany consolidated these organizations through the Federal Railways Law (Bundesbahngesetz), which was enacted on 13 December 1951. Subsequently, the Saarland rail network was integrated on 1 January 1957.

Organisation

Operating as a government-owned monopoly for rail transport throughout West Germany, DB fell under the supervision of the Bundesverkehrsministerium (Federal Transport Ministry) and was based in Frankfurt. By 1985, it ranked as West Germany’s third-largest employer, with a workforce totaling 322,383 employees. Security responsibilities were assigned to a specialized transit police force known as the Bahnpolizei. Passenger catering was managed by “Deutsche Schlafwagen- und Speisewagengesellschaft” (DSG), later renamed “Deutsche Service-Gesellschaft der Bahn,” since the former DRG caterer Mitropa operated exclusively in East Germany serving the Deutsche Reichsbahn.

Due to West Berlin’s geographical isolation within the GDR, all local and long-distance train services there were exclusively provided by the DR. Nonetheless, DB maintained a ticket office close to Berlin Zoologischer Garten station.

1949–1970

In the postwar period, Deutsche Bundesbahn concentrated on reconstructing war-damaged infrastructure and replenishing its fleet of locomotives and rolling stock. Unlike its East German counterpart, Deutsche Reichsbahn, DB did not have to provide war reparations and benefited from financial support through the Marshall Plan. The early years saw the introduction of new steam locomotives, with the last type, Class 10—of which only two units were produced—delivered in 1957. The final steam locomotive model supplied was Class 23 in 1959. As automobile ownership increased, passenger numbers declined, leading to the deployment of railbuses on less busy routes and closure of smaller branch lines. Major routes underwent electrification while steam traction was completely phased out by 1977, replaced by diesel and electric locomotives. This modernization reduced journey times and facilitated premium passenger services such as Trans Europ Express and InterCity.

Freight transportation encountered growing competition from road haulage; meanwhile, traditional bulk cargo shipments like coal and iron ore diminished due to shifting economic factors.

1970–1993

Inspired by France’s introduction of the TGV high-speed train, DB developed its own high-speed system known as InterCityExpress (ICE), which required construction or upgrading of dedicated lines including the Hanover-Würzburg corridor. This period also witnessed implementation of computerized systems and steps toward European railway integration. The appearance of rolling stock became more vibrant with diverse liveries.

Following German reunification in October 1990, both DB and DR were converted into federal special funds. According to Article 26 of the Unification Treaty, their merger was mandated at the earliest feasible date. Until then, DB coordinated operations alongside DR, expanded InterCity and ICE services into Berlin and other eastern cities, and established a joint supervisory board for both companies in June 1992. Political concerns about increasing operating deficits delayed full integration. Eventually, the Bundestag approved the 1993 Bahnreform legislation that merged DB and DR into a publicly owned stock corporation effective from January 1, 1994, restructuring Germany’s railway system to enhance efficiency.

Presidents of the DB

Heinz Maria Oeftering, 13 May 1957 – 12 May 1972
Wolfgang Vaerst, 13 May 1972 – 12 May 1982
Reiner Gohlke, 13 May 1982 – 18 June 1990
Heinz Dürr, 1 January 1991 – 1 January 1994 (subsequently became leader of the newly established Deutsche Bahn AG)

External links