A Prague-Berlin train loses its old-world dining cars
The looming end of the Knödelexpress
In recent years the tardy and loss-making operations of Deutsche Bahn have become a symbol of the woes of the German economy. In contrast, Ceske Drahy (CD), the Czech Republic’s profitable and (mostly) punctual national railway, is going from strength to strength. In 2023 it carried 164m passengers, 7m more than in 2022, and invested almost 11bn koruna ($454m) in new trains.
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This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Ode to a dining car”
From the January 4th 2025 edition
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Kurdish rebels in Turkey declare a ceasefire
One of the world’s longest conflicts may be drawing to a close
Romania is caught between Putin, Trump and Europe
Banning a pro-Russian candidate would anger America’s MAGA crowd
Europe sounds increasingly French
The continent confronts a future without Trump’s America
The dangerous tension in Europe’s response to Trump
By trying to stop the rift, Europe may hasten it
Can Friedrich Merz get Europe out of its funk?
A new Merz-mentum could reboot the Franco-German motor at the heart of the EU
Can Europe keep Ukraine in the fight if America really has bailed?
Investing in Ukraine’s own weapons industry will be the best bet