'Partial preservation' of 'Knödelexpress' in Prague
Headline: Knödel Express Dining Cars Retired from Prague-Berlin Route as Modernisation Begins
In a significant shift for rail travel, the traditional dining cars of the Knödel Express will no longer be found on the Prague-Berlin route. Starting from July 26, 2025, the existing carriages will be replaced by more modern Comfort-Jet trains.
The decision to modernise the route was announced by Czech Railways (České dráhy - CD). The new Comfort-Jet trains can reach speeds of up to 230 km/h, compared to the old trains' maximum speed of 200 km/h. This upgrade promises a faster and more efficient journey for passengers.
The departure times from Prague Main Station for these trains are 10:28, 16:28, and 20:28 respectively. In the opposite direction, the trains EC 171, EC 379, and EC 259 will continue to operate, with departure times from Berlin Main Station at 07:15, 11:16, and 00:16 respectively.
The arrival times in Berlin for these trains are 14:43, 20:43, and 00:57 respectively, and the arrival times at Prague Main Station are 11:27, 15:23, and 05:23 respectively.
The press release primarily praised the qualities of the new trains, but no new information was provided about the speed or passenger capacity of the trains on which the dining cars will continue to operate. However, part of the new trains will continue to offer a familiar service, hinting at the continuation of the Knödel Express in a modernised form.
The nostalgic Czech dining cars, where dishes like schnitzel were still prepared on board, will no longer be part of the modern Nightjets. Instead, these dining cars will be used on Czech domestic connections in the future. They will not be scrapped but will continue to offer the traditional dining experience to passengers on select train pairs.
The original dining cars will continue to operate on three train pairs: EC 378, EC 170, and EC 258. The Euro-City connection EC 172 / 173 Hungaria, composed of Hungarian carriages, will also continue to operate.
The other trains on the Prague - Berlin route will already be operated by Comfort-Jets, offering a smoother, faster, and more spacious journey for passengers. The new trains will have room for around 100 more passengers, and more bicycles can be taken along in the new trains.
While the Knödel Express as we know it is changing, the head of Czech Railways, Michal Krapinec, has hinted at the continuation of the familiar service in a press release. Passengers can look forward to a modernised rail travel experience on the Prague-Berlin route, with the promise of a nostalgic dining experience on select domestic connections in the future.
- In the future, the traditional Knödel Express dining cars will be relocated from the Prague-Berlin route, instead finding their home on Czech domestic connections.
- The radio industry might have news about the continuation of the Knödel Express's nostalgic dining experience on select domestic train pairs, as the finance sector invests in modernizing transportation by introducing more Comfort-Jet trains on the Prague-Berlin route.
