Die Länderbahn
Die Länderbahn is a German regional rail operator serving routes in eastern and southern Germany and across neighboring Czech and Polish border regions.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Die Länderbahn GmbH, commonly known as Die Länderbahn and abbreviated DLB, is a German railway company that operates regional passenger services under several local and network brands. Its corporate headquarters are in Viechtach, Bavaria, while its operating identity is distributed across brands such as vogtlandbahn, trilex, alex, Oberpfalzbahn and Waldbahn. The company is a subsidiary of Regentalbahn AG, which belongs to Netinera Deutschland, the German railway group controlled by Italian state railway company Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane together with infrastructure investor Cube. The company’s modern history began in the aftermath of German reunification. Passenger volumes in Saxony and other eastern German states fell sharply, while much of the regional railway fleet and infrastructure was unable to compete with improving roads and private cars. Saxony responded by investing in the Vogtland network, including track renewal, station accessibility improvements, timetable changes and the opening or modernization of stops. A competitive tender issued in 1994 awarded operation of the relevant services to Regental-Bahnbetriebs-GmbH, based in Viechtach. Services began on 23 November 1997, and the operating company acquired Vogtlandbahn on 1 January 1998. Initially focused on the Vogtland region, the business expanded into neighboring parts of Bavaria and Thuringia and later into the Czech Republic. It became known for using lightweight diesel multiple units and for its cross-border regional services. A particularly distinctive project was the extension of Vogtlandbahn trains into central Zwickau. The so-called Zwickau Model used dual-gauge track shared with the city tramway, allowing diesel train-trams to travel from Zwickau Hauptbahnhof toward the city center. The trains were adapted for operation under tramway rules, including road-style lights, warning equipment and traffic-signal interfaces. The company subsequently won or operated a range of competitively tendered networks. Its brands cover local stopping services, regional express operations and cross-border links. trilex serves eastern Saxony and routes linking Germany with Poland and the Czech Republic. alex provides regional express services centered on Munich, Regensburg, Schwandorf and northern Bavaria. Oberpfalzbahn operates regional routes in eastern Bavaria, including connections toward Czech stations, while Waldbahn serves the Bavarian Forest around Zwiesel. The original vogtlandbahn brand remains in use in the Vogtland even though the legal company adopted the broader Die Länderbahn name. Ownership changed several times as the regional rail market was consolidated. Bavaria sold its remaining interest in Länderbahn-related operations to Arriva in 2004. After Deutsche Bahn acquired Arriva in 2010, competition requirements led to the sale of the German business to Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane and Cube. The German group was renamed Netinera in 2011. Die Länderbahn continues to participate in public-service rail tenders and is a member of the German tariff association for federally owned and non-federally owned railways.
History
Die Länderbahn developed from the restructuring of regional rail transport after German reunification. Passenger demand declined across the eastern German states, and regional lines faced competition from roads, aging rolling stock and limited service integration. In Saxony, public investment improved the Vogtland infrastructure before a competitive operating model was introduced. Regental-Bahnbetriebs-GmbH won the 1994 tender, began services in November 1997 and acquired Vogtlandbahn at the beginning of 1998. The operator’s early growth was associated with lightweight RegioSprinter diesel railcars and a service concept built around more attractive timetables, better connections and modernized stations. Its most notable infrastructure innovation was the Zwickau train-tram extension. Regional trains used specially constructed dual-gauge track alongside the meter-gauge tramway, reaching the city center from the main railway station. Because the vehicles operated under tramway regulations on part of the route, they received additional lights, warning systems and signaling equipment. During the following years, Vogtlandbahn expanded beyond its original Saxon territory. Services reached Hof and other Bavarian locations, Gera and other Thuringian points, and several destinations in the Czech Republic. The cross-border extension toward Kraslice reopened a connection that had been absent for decades, and later routes linked the Vogtland with Sokolov and Cheb. The company also operated services in northern Bavaria, including routes later associated with Oberpfalzbahn and the alex regional express network. Ownership followed the consolidation of European regional railway operators. Bavaria disposed of its remaining stake in 2004 in favor of Arriva. After Deutsche Bahn purchased Arriva in 2010, the German activities were divested for competition reasons to Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane and Cube. The German holding structure became Netinera in 2011, with Die Länderbahn operating as one of its railway subsidiaries. The legal company broadened its identity from Vogtlandbahn to Die Länderbahn as its activities expanded, but the vogtlandbahn trademark continued to identify the core Vogtland services. Additional operating brands were used for different geographic markets: trilex in eastern Saxony and adjacent border corridors, alex for long-distance regional services in Bavaria, Oberpfalzbahn in eastern Bavaria and Waldbahn in the Bavarian Forest. Fleet development accompanied the network expansion. RegioSprinters were suited to short, lightly trafficked regional routes, while Siemens Desiro Classic units provided greater capacity and comfort for longer services. Stadler Regio-Shuttle RS1 units were introduced during the 2010s, and LINT 41 units were used on selected Oberpfalzbahn services after an alternative railcar plan was abandoned. Operations remain dependent on public transport authority tenders, franchise agreements and regional transport planning rather than on a single nationwide timetable.
- 2014
East Saxon network awarded to trilex
[1]Die Länderbahn commenced operation of important Dresden–Görlitz, Dresden–Zittau and Dresden–Liberec services under trilex.
- 2012
New Vogtland operating period begins
[1]The renewed Vogtland contract began, supported by Regio-Shuttle, Desiro and RegioSprinter vehicles.
- 2011
Netinera structure established
[1]The German parent group adopted the Netinera name after the sale of Arriva’s German activities.
- 2004
Arriva acquires Bavaria’s remaining stake
[1]The ownership structure moved into the Arriva group.
- 2000
Cross-border service to Kraslice
[1]Rail service crossed into the Czech Republic toward Kraslice, restoring a historic regional connection.
- 1998
Vogtlandbahn joins the Länderbahn group
[1]Regental-Bahnbetriebs-GmbH acquired Vogtlandbahn and operated it as an independent company.
- 1997
Passenger operations begin
[1]Vogtlandbahn commenced scheduled operations on 23 November after infrastructure renewal.
- 1994
Vogtland operating tender awarded
[1]Regental-Bahnbetriebs-GmbH won the tender to operate modernized Vogtland regional services.
Products and positioning
A decentralized regional rail operator focused on tendered public transport, efficient diesel and regional multiple-unit operations, and cross-border connectivity in eastern and southern Germany.
Regional passenger rail · 1997
vogtlandbahn
The original regional brand of the business serves the Vogtland and adjoining parts of Saxony, Thuringia, Bavaria and the Czech Republic. Its network includes routes around Zwickau, Falkenstein, Plauen and Klingenthal, with cross-border services toward Kraslice and other Czech destinations. The brand remains in use even though the legal company is now called Die Länderbahn.
Cross-border regional rail · 2010
trilex
trilex is the operating brand for regional services in eastern Saxony and the Germany–Poland–Czech Republic border area. It covers connections from Dresden toward Görlitz, Zittau and Liberec and also operates the regional border network around Zittau, Varnsdorf and Rybniště or Seifhennersdorf. Services use modern diesel multiple units, with some trains and staff adapted to international operations.
Regional express rail · 2006
alex
alex is Die Länderbahn’s regional express brand for long regional journeys in Bavaria. Its services have linked Munich with Regensburg, Schwandorf and destinations toward Hof, Furth im Wald and the Czech Republic. The operation uses locomotive-hauled passenger coaches, including double-deck vehicles on parts of the network, rather than relying solely on multiple units.
Regional passenger rail · 2001
Oberpfalzbahn
Oberpfalzbahn operates regional routes in eastern Bavaria, connecting locations including Hof, Schwandorf, Regensburg, Waldmünchen, Furth im Wald and Lam. The network also reaches selected Czech stations such as Domažlice and Cheb. Its fleet has included Stadler Regio-Shuttle RS1 vehicles and LINT 41 railcars.
Regional passenger rail
Waldbahn
Waldbahn is the Die Länderbahn brand for services in the Bavarian Forest around Zwiesel. It provides regional rail connectivity in a primarily rural area and forms part of the company’s portfolio of geographically focused transport operations.
Brand decisions
2012
Introduce new Regio-Shuttle rolling stockGeneration changeBackground
Fleet renewal was required as the operator expanded and older regional vehicles became less suitable for its network.
Action taken
New Stadler Regio-Shuttle RS1 railcars entered service, including vehicles equipped for the Zwickau train-tram environment.
Aftermath
The vehicles supplemented Desiro and RegioSprinter fleets and supported continued operation of the Vogtland network.
2010
Transfer German operations after the Deutsche Bahn–Arriva transactionM&ABackground
Deutsche Bahn’s acquisition of Arriva required disposal of parts of the German regional rail business to preserve competition.
Action taken
The German operations were transferred to Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane and Cube, later organized under Netinera.
Aftermath
Die Länderbahn continued as part of a privately managed German regional rail group controlled by international owners.
1998
Adopt the Zwickau train-tram modelStrategyBackground
The operator sought to improve access to Zwickau’s urban center without requiring passengers to transfer at the main station.
Action taken
It introduced specially equipped diesel train-trams on shared dual-gauge infrastructure between the main railway station and central Zwickau.
Aftermath
The project became a defining example of regional rail and tram integration in the company’s early development.
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