Goethe (train)

{{Italic title}} {{Infobox rail service | box_width = | name = ''Goethe'' | logo = | logo_width = | image = 181 206 Luetzel 03042010.JPG | image_width = | caption = Class 181, multivoltage locomotive | type = Trans Europ Express (TEE) (1970–1975 and 1979–1983) InterCity (IC) (1983–1987) EuroCity (EC) (1987–2007) | status = Replaced by an ICE3 | locale = France Germany | predecessor = | first = {{start date|1970|05|31|df=y}} | last = {{end date|2007|06|10|df=y}} | successor = | operator = | formeroperator = SNCF Deutsche Bundesbahn / Deutsche Bahn (DB) | ridership = | start = Paris-Est/ Dortmund Hbf | stops = | end = Frankfurt Hbf | distance = | journeytime = | frequency = Daily | trainnumber = | line_used = | class = | access = | seating = | sleeping = | autorack = | catering = | observation = | entertainment = | baggage = | otherfacilities = | stock = | gauge = {{RailGauge|sg}} | el = 15 kV AC, 16.7 Hz (Germany) | speed = | owners = | routenumber = | map = {{EC Goethe}} | map_state =  }}

The '''''Goethe''''' was an express train that, for most of its existence, linked Paris-Est in Paris, France, with Frankfurt Hbf in Frankfurt, Germany. Introduced in 1970, it was operated by the SNCF and the Deutsche Bundesbahn / Deutsche Bahn (DB).

The train was named after the German author and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who lived in Frankfurt.

Initially, the ''Goethe'' was a first-class-only Trans Europ Express (TEE). It originally was scheduled to operate westbound in the morning and eastbound in the late afternoon and evening. However, at the start of the summer 1972 timetable period, on 28 May, the schedule was reversed, with the ''TEE Goethe'' now scheduled to leave Paris at 8:00 and Frankfurt at 16:15.<ref name="cooks1972may">"Summer services, 1972" (changes taking effect). ''Cooks Continental Timetable'' (May 1–27, 1972 edition), p. 466; also pp. 67, 465. London: Thomas Cook Publishing.</ref> On 31 May 1975, it was discontinued, replaced by an unnamed two-class express train running on a similar schedule over the same route.<ref name="cooks1975jun">''Thomas Cook Continental Timetable'' (June 1975 edition), pp. 6, 94. Peterborough, UK: Thomas Cook Publishing.</ref>

On 27 May 1979, the name ''Goethe'' was revived for a different route, between Dortmund Hbf, Germany, and Frankfurt Hbf, again as a TEE.<ref name="cooks1979jun">''Thomas Cook International Timetable'' (May 27–June 30, 1979 edition), p. 6.</ref> This second ''TEE Goethe'' was discontinued on 29 May 1983, reclassified as ''IC Goethe'', a two-class InterCity train.<ref name="cooks1983jun">''Thomas Cook Continental Timetable'' (May 29–June 30, 1983 edition), pp. 6, 161–162, 370, 376.</ref> The ''Goethe'' name continued in use for this route through 1 June 1985.<ref name="cooks1985may"/>

During the same period, from 1975, the Paris–Frankfurt express/''Schnellzug'' running on approximately the former ''Goethe'' schedule had continued to operate, without name, and was reclassified as an InterCity (IC 156/157) in June 1984.<ref name="cooks1984may">''Thomas Cook Continental Timetable'' (May 1–June 2, 1984 edition), pp. 161–162, 473.</ref> Subsequently, on 2 June 1985, the name ''Goethe'' was restored to that train and itinerary.<ref name="cooks1985may">''Thomas Cook Continental Timetable'' (May 1985 edition), pp. 370, 376, 476, 524. Thomas Cook Publishing.</ref> On 31 May 1987, it was included in the then-new EuroCity (EC) network (with train nos. EC 56/57)<ref name="cooks1987jun">''Thomas Cook Continental Timetable'' (May 31–June 30, 1987 edition), pp. 472–473. Thomas Cook Publishing.</ref> and from 1997 to 1999 it was extended to Prague It was replaced in June 2007 by an ICE3 service, unnamed and initially requiring a change of train in Saarbrücken.<ref name="cooks2007may">"Newslines: Summer international changes" (May 2007). ''Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable'', p. 539; also pp. 65, 557, 590. Thomas Cook Publishing.</ref> *When this train was created as TEE, this train was composed only by SNCF material, the Mistral 56 coaches, a SNCF dining car with own electricity with integrated generating set, and Mistral 56 coaches where electricity powered with a red generating van, with powerful generating set( 600 V 3 phase ) source: les Trans Europ Express, Maurice Mertens.

==See also==  * History of rail transport in France * History of rail transport in Germany * List of named passenger trains of Europe

==References==

===Notes=== {{reflist}}

===Bibliography=== {{refbegin}} * {{Malaspina-Mertens-TEE-fr}} * {{Malaspina-Mertens-TEE-it}} * {{Mertens-Malaspina-TEE-de}} {{refend}}

Category:EuroCity Category:International named passenger trains Category:Named passenger trains of France Category:Named passenger trains of Germany Category:Named passenger trains of the Czech Republic Category:Trans Europ Express Category:Railway services introduced in 1970 Category:Railway services discontinued in 2007