Intercity (Deutsche Bahn)

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DB Intercity

DB Intercity to Dresden in 2016
Overview
Locale	Germany
Dates of operation	1971–present
Predecessor	F-Zug
Technical
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Other
Website	bahn.com

Intercity, often shortened to IC (German pronunciation: [iːˈtseː] ^ⓘ)), is the second-highest train classification in Germany, after the Intercity Express (ICE). Intercity services are locomotive-hauled express trains, usually over long-distances. There are Intercity routes throughout Germany and routes generally operate every other hour, with multiple routes giving a more frequent service on core routes. Intercity services are operated by the DB Fernverkehr division of Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway.

The Intercity name was introduced in Germany in 1971, replacing the F-Zug category, and was the top category of train in Germany until the introduction of the high-speed ICE services in the early 1990s. With the proliferation of ICE services, the role of IC trains has diminished slightly. Nonetheless, Intercity trains still offer a high standard of average speed and comfort; all routes offer first class coaches, and most include some sort of catering, though all buffet cars and restaurant cars were retired in 2023. Several IC services are composed of older coaches while being gradually replaced with newer Intercity 2 trainset rolling stock with some lines also being upgraded to ICE services and trainsets.

A number of German Intercity services serve destinations outside Germany, usually to Austria and the Netherlands with some operating under the EuroCity brand.