The West German railways, the Deutsche Bundesbahnen, abbreviated as DB, have made many films since their founding after the Second World War. The main goal was to inform the public about new developments, but also about more general topics related to the DB. Each and every one of these films are gems from the German DB film archives! German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

Deutschen Bundesbahn TV-cover.jpg

Deutschen Bundesbahn TV

1950-1969

This film was commissioned by the Advisory Center for Steel Use and the German Federal Railroad (DB) and was intended to show what DB steel products are needed for. The DB was a major consumer of steel, but individual steel manufacturers are not mentioned, although Bochum, Duisburg and the Henrichsh&uuml;tte in Hattingen can be identified as the filming locations. In addition to the many detailed shots, there are also some shots made of various railway lines with new steel bridges and newly laid rails. In addition to steam locomotives, you will also see freight trains with DB electric locomotives of the series E 94 and passenger trains with the E 18. Enjoy watching this historic DB film from 1955! German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

‘Stählerne Strassen‘ - 1955

This short documentary film by Nordfilm from 1958 for the Deutsche Bundesbahn about the ferry connection Gro&szlig;enbrode (D)- Gedser (DK), was shown in the cinema newsreels. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

“Swimming” tracks – 1958

Historical film of the German Federal Railroad from 1963 about the opening of the 'Vogelfluglinie'. This was the connection between Germany and Denmark, via the ferry port of Puttgarden, Germany, here the trains for Denmark were driven onto the boat. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

A stop in Puttgarden - 1963

This TV recording from February 11, 1964 concerns the planned closure of routes by the German Federal Railroad (DB) in the German state of Bavaria. In that year, the Federal Railroad's plans to close unprofitable regional railway lines caused a stir in many places. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

Planned closure of loss-making railway lines - 1964

The state of Baden-W&uuml;rttemberg has decided to electrify the Black Forest Railway line between Offenburg and Konstanz. In this film from 1965 the plans are being discussed and explained. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

Electrification of the Black Forest Railway - 1965 

The DB film from 1966 shows the interaction of the safety systems during the journey of express train 204 from D&uuml;sseldorf to Munich. A look behind the scenes at the signal boxes technology. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

Express train 204 - 1966

Documentary from 1967, which was shot by the Hamburg film production company Bergmann-Film on behalf of the German Federal Railways, shows rush hour in the early hours of the morning. With very clever camera work, accompanied by excellent music, it was possible to capture the special atmosphere of the early morning traffic. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

The Early Trains from Hamburg - 1967

1970-1979

Film from the advertising agency of the German Railways (DB) about freight transport. This film was made in 1970 by Sasse-Film KG in collaboration with the DB Filmstelle. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

More opportunities through rail - 1970 

On December 7, 1835, a new era began for Germany: the very first German railway was put into service. The steam locomotive 'Adler' started its 6 km journey from Nuremberg to F&uuml;rth. This first journey of the German railways carried 200 passengers. This playfully staged film recalls the unique history of the DB (German Federal Railroad) from the perspective of engineer William Wilson. The film takes us via Cologne to Hamburg: with an old steam locomotive, the V200, the E10 and the Trans Europ Express, the TEE, we enjoy the journey with beautiful scenes through Germany. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

From Adler to TEE – 1976

Film from 1976 in the 'DB-Filmspiegel' series about the construction of railway lines, electric locomotives and the testing of rails. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

Track construction, electric locomotives, rail testing - 1976

Film from 1976 in the 'DB-Filmspiegel' series about the timetable, locomotive maintenance and city trips. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

Timetable, locomotive maintenance and city trips - 1976

In this &lsquo;Filmspiegel&rsquo;, the Deutsche Bundesbahn provides information about electric rail transport and the power supply. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

Power supply at the Deutsche Bundesbahn - 1970'ies

Film from the Federal Railway Film Department from 1979 that shows the technical maintenance of locomotives. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

Locomotive maintenance programs - 1979

1980-1999

This documentary tells the story of the steam locomotive and its more modern successors. The film shows one of the world's first steam locomotive, the Puffing Billy from 1813 and also the 'Adler', which was crucial for Germany's railway traffic. Footage from the German Transport Museum describes the further history of the steam locomotive up to the newer series 05 which set the world speed record at 200.4 km/h in 1936. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

Steam locomotive - driving force of progress - 1980

This film by the German Railways was made in 1985 especially for the celebration of 150 years of railways in Germany. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

150 Years railway in Germany - 1985

The ICE, short for Intercity Express, was officially handed over to the German Federal Railways (DB) at Krupp in Essen on March 19, 1985 as part of a festive &ldquo;roll-out&rdquo; for invited guests, experts and media representatives. German spoken. Credits: Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)

Back

Deutschen Bundesbahn TV

Episodes

Newsletter