End of an Era: Traditional Dining Car 'Knödelexpress' Phasing Out on Eurocity Route to Prague

The nostalgic dining car experience on the Eurocity trains connecting Hamburg and Prague is nearing its conclusion. Iconic white tablecloths will soon be replaced, yet the beloved dumplings will remain on the menu.

According to the Czech Railways (CD), the classic 'Knödelexpress' will be phased out this summer as part of a transition to new train models. These modern Nightjets are already partially operating on the route between Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, and Prague, offering superior speed and capacity. While the older trains have a maximum speed of 200 kilometers per hour, the new trains can reach up to 230 kilometers per hour. Additionally, the new service will accommodate approximately 100 more passengers and allow for increased bicycle transport.

The current dining car, established in 1997, will also face discontinuation. This car still prepares meals onboard, with some dishes being freshly cooked while others are reheated after central preparation.

The upcoming dining car will feature 18 seats, serving both hot and cold meals along with freshly tapped beer. However, it will lack a traditional cooking stove, which will be replaced by a modern combi steamer. This change is expected to enhance food preparation efficiency and improve service quality, although the core gastronomic offerings will remain unchanged. Guests can still enjoy favorites such as tender loin with creamy sauce, traditional Czech dumplings with cranberries, and schnitzel.

Images of the new dining car suggest a more sterile appearance compared to the warm and inviting 'Knödelexpress', drawing parallels to the onboard restaurants of Deutsche Bahn.

The new trains and dining car design were first showcased at the Innotrans trade fair in September 2024 in Berlin. The transition process is anticipated to require several months to complete.