"Knödelexpress" to Prague remains partially intact

The era of the popular "Knödelexpress" should also come to an end as part of the modernization of train connections between Prague and Berlin. As the Czech Railways (Ceske drahy -CD) announced earlier, the previous carriages will be replaced by more modern Comfort Jet trains. The changeover will take effect from July 26, as the railroad company recently confirmed in a press release.

There is no longer room for the nostalgic-looking Czech dining cars, in which schnitzel and other dishes were still prepared directly on board, in the modern Nightjets. Instead, they can reach speeds of 230 kilometers per hour, whereas the old trains only reached a maximum of 200 kilometers per hour. In addition, around 100 passengers have more space and more ferry bikes can be taken on board, the Czech railroad workers proudly announced.

Those who do not want to share this pride but mourn the "Knödelexpress" can now find consolation. Because the usual service will still be available on some of the trains. The head of Czech Railways, Michal Krapinec, made this clear in a press release, which actually focused on praising the qualities of the new trains.

Where the previous dining cars will continue to be available

The press release also specifically lists the three train pairs in which the original dining cars will continue to be carried. These are the Eurocity trains EC 378, EC 170 and EC 258 departing from Prague Central Station at 10:28, 16:28 and 20:28 to Berlin (arriving at 14:43, 20:43 and 00:57) and in the opposite direction to Prague on trains EC 171 departing from Berlin Central Station 07:15 (arrival in Prague 11:27), EC 379 with departure 11:16 from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (arrival in Prague Hauptbahnhof 15:23) and also EC 259 with departure in Berlin Gesundbrunnen at 00:16 (arrival in Prague Hauptbahnhof 05:23).

In addition, there is still the EC 172 / 173 Hungaria Euro-City connection made up of Hungarian wagons. According to Ceske drahy, the other trains on the Prague - Berlin route are already operated by Comfort Jets. However, the popular traditional dining cars will not be retired, but will be used on Czech domestic connections in the future.