The Bavaria was an express train that linked München Hbf in Munich, Germany, with Zürich HB in Zurich, Switzerland. Introduced in the 1950s, it ran through to Geneva (Cornavin station) until 1969, when it was cut back to Zurich. The train was named on the basis that Bavaria is the Latin equivalent to the German word Bayern, the official name of the federal state of Bavaria, of which Munich is the capital. It was operated by the Deutsche Bundesbahn / Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB-CFF-FFS). The route also included a single stop in Austria, at Bregenz. The section between Lindau, Germany, and St. Margrethen, Switzerland, is located mostly in Austria, but Swiss locomotives hauled the train over this section, most of which is part of the Vorarlberg line of Austrian Federal Railways.

Originally and for several years, the Bavaria was a two-class Schnellzug (D), running Munich – Zurich – Bern – Geneva. As of 1963, the train was carrying a full restaurant car on the Munich – Lindau and St. Margrethen – Geneva portions,Cooks Continental Timetable (February 1963 edition), pp. 178, 309. London: Thomas Cook Publishing. but by 1968 the dining car on the German portion had been replaced by a buffet car.

In 1969, the Bavaria was upgraded to a first-class-only Trans Europ Express (TEE), but the route was shortened in Switzerland, with the western terminus moved to Zurich. The TEE carried a restaurant car over the full route, Munich – Zurich, with service being provided by the Swiss Restaurant Car Company.Thomas Cook Continental Timetable, various issues.

On 22 May 1977, the Bavaria reverted to being a two-class Schnellzug.Thomas Cook International Timetable (May 22–June 30, 1977 edition), p. 6. Peterborough, UK: Thomas Cook Publishing. Seven years later, effective 3 June 1984, it was reclassified as an InterCity (IC) train,Thomas Cook Continental Timetable (May 1–June 2, 1984 edition), pp. 392, 473. Peterborough, UK: Thomas Cook Publishing. and on 31 May 1987, it was included in the then-new EuroCity (EC) network.Thomas Cook Continental Timetable (May 31–June 30, 1987 edition), pp. 472, 475. It ceased to be a named train at the end of 2002.

On 9 February 1971, the Bavaria was involved in a serious derailment and collision in Aitrang, Bavaria, in which the train formation (consist) was destroyed, and 28 people lost their lives.

See also

History of rail transport in Germany History of rail transport in Switzerland List of named passenger trains of Europe

References

Further reading