Eilzug

An Eilzug, short for Eilzugverkehr, is a designation used for passenger trains in German-speaking railway networks. It denotes a service faster than a local train but not as fast or far-reaching as a Schnellzug or express service. An Eilzug makes a limited number of stops, usually skipping many smaller stations in favor of larger towns and regional hubs along its route. The exact stopping pattern varies by timetable and day.

Historically, Eilzüge were common in German-speaking countries from the late 19th century through the late 20th century. They filled a niche between the slow, stop-at-every-station regional trains (Regionalzug) and the long-distance express trains. In Deutsche Bahn timetables, the classification E (or similar) indicated such trains; many Eilzüge were later replaced or reclassified as Regional-Express (RE), InterCity, or other services during timetable reforms from the 1990s onward.

Today the term is largely historical in Germany and Austria, having been superseded by more standardized categories. In some regions and on older network maps, the label may still appear in historical materials or by rail enthusiasts to describe certain semi-fast services. The concept remains that an Eilzug provides faster connections without becoming a full long-distance express.

See also: Schnellzug, Regionalzug, Regional-Express, InterCity.