REPURPOSING TRADITIONAL COACHING STOCK.

Passenger train operators in Germany compete for slots on popularly traveled routes, and, as is the case in other countries where the railroads operate under some sort of open access rules, sometimes one carrier gives way to another, and the coaching stock gets a new coat of paint.

Although Germany's Flix Train is the rail arm of a bus operator, they have purchased stock that looks like what European coaching stock has long looked like.

Unattributed Railway Gazette photograph.

A fresh coat of paint, a new operator.

FlixTrain is operated by BahnTouristikExpress, which owns the rolling stock which was used on the same route by Hamburg-Köln-Express until it suspended operation last year. The coaches, of older compartment types, have been rebranded in FlixTrain’s bright green livery. Traction is provided by MRCE.

The article expects the reader to understand that MRCE are a locomotive leasing company.

Flix will soon be picking up a second franchise.  "The Berlin – Stuttgart open access service which was launched by Locomore and is now operated by LEO Express in partnership with FlixMobility is also to become part of the FlixTrain brand from April."

Once upon a time, there were railroad companies that set up feeder bus services, until the Wise Experts said no.  Bus companies taking over Passenger Rail services?  Why not?