Mozart
Mozart was a named international express train linking Paris, southern Germany, Salzburg, and Vienna.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Mozart was the name of a long-distance international passenger train that connected Paris with Vienna through eastern France, southern Germany, and Austria. It was named for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and served several cities associated with the composer, including Salzburg and Vienna. Although treated here as a brand-like transport service rather than a conventional consumer brand, its name identified a specific cross-border rail offering operating across multiple national railway systems. The service originated in 1954 as the Mozart Express, an F-Zug service running between Strasbourg and Salzburg. It was later extended westward to Paris and eastward to Vienna, creating a major international connection through Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Munich, and Salzburg. The route crossed the Rhine between France and Germany and continued across Austria to Vienna Westbahnhof. Salzburg also functioned as a branching point: at various stages, two or three coaches were detached there for service toward Graz. The train passed through a succession of European rail classifications. In 1983 it was associated with the renewed Fernschnellzug network and operated under train numbers 264 and 265. In 1983 it was also described as being reclassified as an FD-Zug, reflecting its role as a premium long-distance express. In 1989 it entered the EuroCity network as EC 64 and EC 65. These changes reflected the evolving organization of international European rail travel rather than a change in the train's core identity. The route required multiple locomotive changes because it crossed national borders and operated over railway networks using different electrical systems and operating practices. SNCF BB 15000 locomotives commonly worked the French section, while DB Class 181 locomotives handled the cross-border portion. Between Karlsruhe or Stuttgart and Munich, German Class 103 locomotives, later Class 101 locomotives, were used. East of Munich, Austrian Class 1044 locomotives and later Taurus locomotives provided traction. The train generally consisted of about eleven coaches, commonly using ÖBB Eurofima stock supplemented at times by Deutsche Bahn and SNCF vehicles, and normally included a restaurant car. In December 2002, the named service was reorganized. EC 64/65 became a Paris–Munich service, while the Mozart name was transferred to EC 68/69, operating between Munich and Vienna. The Paris–Munich service ended in 2007 following the opening of France's LGV Est high-speed line and was replaced by a TGV service. The Munich–Vienna service continued under the Mozart name only until 2009, when it was replaced by a Railjet service that continued onward to Budapest. Neither successor retained the Mozart name, so the branded train service is now defunct.
History
The Mozart was an international named express train operating across France, Germany, and Austria. Its name referred to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and was appropriate to a route serving cities strongly connected with the composer, particularly Salzburg and Vienna. The service was a railway operation rather than a separate company: national railway administrations supplied track access, rolling stock, locomotives, and operating crews across the route. The service began in 1954 as the Mozart Express, an F-Zug running between Strasbourg and Salzburg. It was subsequently extended to form a longer connection between Paris and Vienna. The westbound and eastbound journey used the Paris–Strasbourg railway in France, crossed the Rhine into Germany, continued via Karlsruhe and Stuttgart toward Munich, and then crossed into Austria. From Salzburg, coaches could be detached for Graz, while the main train continued along the Austrian Westbahn to Vienna Westbahnhof. During its life, the service passed through several organizational and classification systems. In 1983 it became part of the Fernschnellzug network under numbers 264 and 265 and was associated with the FD-Zug category. In 1989 it joined the EuroCity network as EC 64 and EC 65. This period represented the train's mature international role, with a schedule and service standard intended for cross-border European travel. The rolling stock reflected the international nature of the route. The train usually comprised approximately eleven coaches and normally included a restaurant car. ÖBB Eurofima coaches formed the principal consist for much of its operating life, with occasional German and French coaches. The train changed locomotives repeatedly because the route crossed borders and railway systems. SNCF BB 15000 locomotives were commonly used in France; DB Class 181 locomotives worked the French–German border section; German Class 103 and later Class 101 locomotives hauled portions toward Munich; and Austrian Class 1044 or Taurus locomotives worked east of Munich. A major timetable and identity change took place in December 2002. EC 64/65 was reduced to a Paris–Munich operation, while the Mozart name was assigned to EC 68/69, a Munich–Vienna service. The Paris–Munich train ended in 2007 after the opening of the LGV Est high-speed line, with TGV taking over the connection. The Munich–Vienna service continued until 2009, when Railjet replaced it and extended the service toward Budapest. The successor services did not retain the Mozart name, ending the train's life as a named international brand.
- 2009
Mozart name disappears from scheduled service
[1]The Munich–Vienna operation is replaced by a Railjet service continuing to Budapest; the successor does not use the Mozart name.
- 2007
Paris–Munich service ends
[1]The Paris–Munich operation is replaced by TGV after the opening of the LGV Est high-speed line.
- 2002
Named service is divided into two operating identities
[1]EC 64/65 becomes a Paris–Munich service, while the Mozart name is assigned to EC 68/69 between Munich and Vienna.
- 1989
Mozart becomes a EuroCity service
[1]The train joins the EuroCity network as EC 64 and EC 65.
- 1983
Service enters the Fernschnellzug era
[1]The service is associated with the Fernschnellzug network under train numbers 264 and 265 and is described as an FD-Zug.
- 1954
Mozart Express begins operation
[1]The service begins as an F-Zug named Mozart Express between Strasbourg and Salzburg.
Products and positioning
A prestigious named international rail connection linking major cities in France, Germany, and Austria, with cultural associations to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the cities connected to his life.
International passenger rail service · 1954
Mozart international express
The core offering was a named long-distance train connecting Paris, Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna. The route crossed three national railway systems and used coordinated locomotive changes and international coaching stock. Salzburg could serve as a splitting point, with coaches detached for Graz while the main service continued toward Vienna.
EuroCity passenger rail service · 1989
EuroCity Mozart
From 1989, the service operated within the EuroCity network. It initially carried the EC 64 and EC 65 numbers for the international Paris–Vienna connection, before the 2002 timetable change separated the Paris–Munich and Munich–Vienna operations.
Brand decisions
2009
Replace the Munich–Vienna service with RailjetGeneration changeBackground
The remaining Mozart-branded operation between Munich and Vienna was superseded as railway operators introduced Railjet services.
Action taken
The Munich–Vienna service was replaced by a Railjet service extending onward to Budapest.
Aftermath
The Mozart name disappeared from current scheduled rail service, and neither successor retained the historic train name.
2007
Replace the Paris–Munich train with TGVGeneration changeBackground
The opening of the LGV Est high-speed line changed the competitive and operational context for travel between Paris and eastern France and Germany.
Action taken
The Paris–Munich Mozart service was withdrawn and replaced by a TGV service.
Aftermath
The Paris–Munich operation ceased to use the Mozart identity, leaving the name attached only to the Munich–Vienna service for a limited period.
2002
Split the EuroCity operationStrategyBackground
The international service was reorganized in the December 2002 timetable, changing the relationship between the Mozart name and its former Paris–Vienna route.
Action taken
EC 64/65 was operated as a Paris–Munich service, while the Mozart name was transferred to EC 68/69 between Munich and Vienna.
Aftermath
The change separated the named service from the full Paris–Vienna journey. The Paris–Munich operation later ended in 2007, while the Munich–Vienna operation continued until its replacement by Railjet in 2009.
Recent events
- 2009
Munich–Vienna Mozart service replaced by Railjet[1]
Other · Product generation
The remaining Munich–Vienna service ceased using the Mozart name when it was replaced by a Railjet service continuing to Budapest.
- 2007
Paris–Munich Mozart service replaced by TGV[1]
Other · Product generation
Following the opening of the LGV Est high-speed line, the Paris–Munich service was withdrawn and replaced by a TGV operation.
- 2002
Mozart service split between Paris–Munich and Munich–Vienna routes[1]
Other
The named service was reorganized: EC 64/65 operated between Paris and Munich, while the Mozart name was assigned to EC 68/69 between Munich and Vienna.
- 1989
Mozart service enters the EuroCity network[1]
Other
The Mozart became a EuroCity service and operated under the train numbers EC 64 and EC 65.
Sources1 sources
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