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Germany is more densely populated (232 people / km², 357000km²)and not centralized, compared to France (106 people / km², 547000km²). The ICE trains connect l
by lispm 4y ago
Germany is more densely populated (232 people / km², 357000km²)and not centralized, compared to France (106 people / km², 547000km²).
The ICE trains connect larger cities & regions, not just the big ones. There are ICE Sprinter trains with fewer stops, though. The ICE trains often don't have their own tracks, which is what makes them slow.
Think of German train infrastructure as a mesh, compared to a more star like system in France with Paris (14 Million people for the metropolitan area) as its center. Berlin is not the center of Germany and has only around 6 Million people in its metropolitan area.
- lucb1e 4y agoSounds like sprinter is the fastest class of train in Germany. (Fun?) side fact: As a neighbor (Dutchman), sprinter is a euphemism for the slowest class of trains here. They rebranded it from "stoptrein" (a train that stops at every station it comes through) to "sprinter" for marketing reasons. (The new generation doesn't know better and started using the word; for me I think it'll always remain a euphemism -- in NL specifically of course.)
- Tijdreiziger 4y agoIt is for marketing reasons but it's not a euphemism. IIRC the reasoning is that the newer (Sprinter-class) trains can accelerate much faster than intercity trains; as it were, they're 'sprinting' from station to station (instead of taking their time like the older stoppers).
- yread 4y agoI always thought of it as "use a sprinter for a short sprint and something else for a marathon"
- Tijdreiziger 4y agoIndeed, that 'something else' being an intercity.
- yread 4y agoor ICE, Thalys, Fyra, EuroCity, EuroNight, NightJet, ...
- Tijdreiziger 4y agoWell, yes, but in the context of the Netherlands rail system, those aren't very common, and might not be accessible with a standard train ticket. (Also, Fyra? That's a hell of a throwback :P)
- yread 4y ago> (Also, Fyra? That's a hell of a throwback :P) I thought Tijdreiziger would appreciate that!