Roland

Trademark

Roland was a named German express train that later operated internationally as a Trans Europ Express and InterCity service.

Last updated October 24, 2026

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Overview

Roland was a named passenger express train associated primarily with Germany and, during parts of its history, with international rail travel. The service was introduced in 1939 by the Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft as a Fernschnellzug, a premium long-distance express category. Its name referred to the statue of Roland in Bremen's market square, a landmark erected in 1404 and a civic symbol of the city. Because of that connection, Bremen Hauptbahnhof remained part of the Roland's route throughout its different operating periods, even though its other termini, classification, timetable and train formation changed considerably. The original service was suspended during the Second World War. It returned in 1952 under the Deutsche Bundesbahn as a Schnellzug. Around 1956, it was recast as an F-Zug, a higher-status service restricted to first-class travel. This reflected the post-war development of named express trains as premium links between major German cities and European destinations. The Roland reached one of its most prominent forms on 1 June 1969, when it was upgraded to Trans Europ Express status. The TEE version linked Bremen, Frankfurt and Milan, creating a high-quality international connection involving the German, Swiss and Italian railway systems. During its international period, services were operated in cooperation with Deutsche Bundesbahn, Swiss Federal Railways and, from 1969 to 1979, the Italian State Railways. The international routing demonstrated the role of named trains in connecting national rail networks before the spread of later high-speed services and air travel competition. On 27 May 1979, the TEE Roland was rerouted from the Bremen–Frankfurt–Milan corridor to a Bremen–Frankfurt–Stuttgart route and was reduced to weekday operation. This version lasted only until 30 May 1980. Although a winter-only reinstatement was planned for the following timetable period, that plan was not implemented. After a one-year interruption, the name returned in 1981 as a two-class InterCity service. It initially ran between Bremen and Basel, again linking Germany with Switzerland. In late 1985, its route changed substantially to a Hamburg–Cologne–Frankfurt corridor. The Roland was ultimately discontinued in 1998. Its long history illustrates the evolution of European premium rail: from a pre-war German express, through post-war first-class and international TEE operation, to the more broadly accessible two-class InterCity network. It was not a food or consumer brand; the name identifies a historic railway service whose identity was anchored in Bremen and whose operations were conducted by successive public railway organizations.

History

The Roland was a German named express train whose identity was tied to Bremen. Its name came from the statue of Roland in Bremen's Rathausplatz, a monument dating from 1404 and representing Roland, the Frankish military leader associated with Charlemagne. The civic reference helped distinguish the service within the tradition of named European passenger trains. The train began operating in 1939 as a Fernschnellzug of the Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft. Its pre-war service was interrupted by the Second World War. In 1952, the Roland was restored under the Deutsche Bundesbahn, initially as a Schnellzug. Around 1956, it entered the F-Zug category and became a first-class-only premium service. Although the route changed repeatedly, Bremen Hauptbahnhof remained a constant feature because of the train's connection with the city. A major transition occurred on 1 June 1969, when the Roland became a Trans Europ Express. The international TEE connected Bremen, Frankfurt and Milan. Operations involved Germany's railway system and, for the international service, the Swiss Federal Railways and the Italian State Railways. The service therefore represented the cross-border rail cooperation characteristic of the TEE era, when premium named trains provided fast and comfortable links between major European cities. The TEE configuration changed on 27 May 1979. The route was shortened and redirected to Bremen, Frankfurt and Stuttgart, and operation was limited to weekdays. This second TEE form ended after its final run on 30 May 1980. It was expected to return as a winter-only service in the following timetable period, but that proposed reinstatement did not take place. The Roland name was revived after a one-year gap in 1981, this time for a two-class InterCity service. The initial IC route ran between Bremen and Basel. In late 1985, the train was moved to a Hamburg–Cologne–Frankfurt route, reflecting another restructuring of the long-distance network. The service was finally discontinued in 1998. Across its history, the Roland changed category from Fernschnellzug to Schnellzug, F-Zug, Trans Europ Express and InterCity. It also shifted between domestic and international operation, first-class exclusivity and two-class travel, and several major north–south corridors. These changes make it an example of how European named trains adapted to changing railway classifications, passenger demand and network planning. The service is now defunct and should be understood as a historic train designation rather than a contemporary corporate or consumer brand.

1998
Service discontinued
[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
The Roland was withdrawn from the railway network.
1985
InterCity route moved
[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
In late 1985, the route changed to Hamburg–Cologne–Frankfurt.
1981
Service returns as InterCity
[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
The Roland returned as a two-class InterCity service between Bremen and Basel.
1980
Second TEE version ends
[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
The final run of the second TEE version took place on 30 May.
1979
TEE route changed
[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
The service moved to Bremen–Frankfurt–Stuttgart and became a weekday-only operation.
1969
TEE era begins
[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
On 1 June, the Roland was upgraded to Trans Europ Express status on the Bremen–Frankfurt–Milan route.
1956
Reclassified as an F-Zug
[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
Around this period, the Roland became a first-class-only F-Zug.
1952
Post-war service resumed
[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
The Roland returned under the Deutsche Bundesbahn as a Schnellzug after its wartime suspension.
1939
Service introduced as a Fernschnellzug
[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
The Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft launched the Roland as a German premium long-distance express train.

Products and positioning

A premium named long-distance passenger train whose service format evolved from a German pre-war express into a first-class F-Zug, an international Trans Europ Express, and finally a two-class InterCity service.

Long-distance express train · 1939
Roland Fernschnellzug
The original Roland service was introduced in 1939 as a Fernschnellzug operated by the Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft. It was a premium German express service and formed the initial version of the named train before its wartime suspension and later post-war reclassifications.
First-class express train · 1956
Roland F-Zug
After its return in 1952 as a Schnellzug, the Roland was classified around 1956 as an F-Zug. In this form it was positioned as a high-status, first-class-only service within the Deutsche Bundesbahn's long-distance network.
International premium rail service · 1969
Roland Trans Europ Express
From 1 June 1969, the Roland operated as a Trans Europ Express. Its best-known international routing connected Bremen, Frankfurt and Milan, with participation by German, Swiss and Italian railway organizations. The TEE version ended in 1980 after a later route change.
Two-class intercity train · 1981
Roland InterCity
The name returned in 1981 for a two-class InterCity service. It initially linked Bremen and Basel, then moved in late 1985 to a Hamburg–Cologne–Frankfurt corridor. This final major version remained in operation until the train was discontinued in 1998.

Controversies

2020
CMA fines Roland and Korg for resale price maintenance
The UK Competition and Markets Authority fined Roland and Korg for implementing resale price maintenance that restricted retailers' freedom to set online prices. According to the source, Roland restricted pricing of electronic drum kits and accessories from January 2011 to April 2018, while Korg did so for music equipment and synthesizers from June 2015 to April 2018. The reported conduct concerned limits on retailers' ability to set their own online prices for the relevant products during those periods.
Source
2020
CMA fines Roland £4 million for resale price maintenance
The Competition and Markets Authority said it fined Roland £4 million for illegally manipulating online resale prices through resale price maintenance. The CMA said the fine was increased because senior management was involved and the conduct was intentional; Roland admitted breaking the law and cooperated with the investigation.
Source

1985
InterCity route relocationStrategy
Background
The InterCity version underwent another network adjustment in the second half of the 1980s.
Action taken
In late 1985, the route shifted from Bremen–Basel to Hamburg–Cologne–Frankfurt.
Aftermath
The Roland continued under the InterCity designation until it was discontinued in 1998.
Source
1981
Revival as a two-class InterCity serviceGeneration change
Background
After the end of the TEE version and a one-year interruption, the Roland name was brought back for a different long-distance service format.
Action taken
The train returned as a two-class InterCity service, initially running between Bremen and Basel.
Aftermath
The service later moved to a Hamburg–Cologne–Frankfurt route before its final discontinuation.
Source
1979
TEE route restructuringStrategy
Background
The international TEE version was reorganized at the beginning of the summer timetable period.
Action taken
The route changed from Bremen–Frankfurt–Milan to Bremen–Frankfurt–Stuttgart, and service was reduced to weekdays.
Aftermath
The revised TEE operated for only one year and made its last run on 30 May 1980.
Source
1969
Conversion to Trans Europ ExpressStrategy
Background
The Roland was moved into the international Trans Europ Express category as European railways developed premium cross-border services.
Action taken
From 1 June 1969, the train operated on the Bremen–Frankfurt–Milan route with international railway participation.
Aftermath
The change made the Roland an international premium train, although its TEE route and operating pattern were later revised.
Source

Recent events

1998
Roland discontinued[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
Other
The named train service was discontinued after nearly six decades of operation in different express and InterCity formats.
1985
Roland route shifts to Hamburg–Cologne–Frankfurt[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
Other
In late 1985, the InterCity version moved from the Bremen–Basel corridor to a Hamburg–Cologne–Frankfurt route.
1981
Roland returns as a two-class InterCity service[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
Product generation · Product launch
After a one-year interruption, the Roland returned as a two-class InterCity service initially connecting Bremen and Basel.
1979
TEE Roland rerouted and reduced to weekday operation[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
Other
The TEE service changed from the Bremen–Frankfurt–Milan route to Bremen–Frankfurt–Stuttgart and operated only on weekdays.
1969
Roland upgraded to Trans Europ Express[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
Product generation · Product launch
On 1 June 1969, the Roland became a TEE operating between Bremen, Frankfurt and Milan, with international railway cooperation.
1952
Roland service resumes after wartime suspension[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
Other
The train returned to service under the Deutsche Bundesbahn as a Schnellzug following its suspension during the Second World War.
1939
Roland introduced as a German Fernschnellzug[1]Roland (train)en.wikipedia.org
Product launch
The Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft introduced the Roland as a premium long-distance express train in Germany.

Sources9 sources

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