Bundesbahn Standard Locomotives on the Gäu Railway – "Freizeitexpress Bodensee II" from Stuttgart to Konstanz

This film focuses on the "Freizeitexpress Bodensee II," arguably Germany's most scenic scheduled train. During the summer of 2026, it operates exclusively on Sundays, running from Stuttgart to Konstanz and returning in the evening. The route is exceptionally picturesque: it begins on Stuttgart’s "Panoramabahn" (Panorama Line) and continues via the "Gäubahn" along the eastern edge of the Black Forest and through the winding Neckar Valley. It then proceeds along the western edge of the Swabian Alb—passing the Danube Sinking area—to the Hegau volcanoes near Singen, continuing via Radolfzell to Lake Constance, with Konstanz as the final destination.

Beyond the scenic route, there is a technical highlight for rail enthusiasts: the train—composed of classic "n-Wagen" coaches (formerly known as DB "Silberlinge" or "Silverfish") featuring openable windows—is hauled or pushed by beautifully restored, classic *Bundesbahn* (Federal Railway) standard locomotives. The operator, SVG (Schienenverkehrsgesellschaft mbH), normally deploys the blue-liveried Class 115 261-0. Unfortunately, this locomotive frequently suffers breakdowns; when this happens, the equally attractive NESA Class 140 797-2—featuring the "Orient Red" DB livery—is usually deployed instead. In previous years, the SVG Class 111 185-5, sporting the old DB S-Bahn livery, was also used. Additionally, the modern Class 145 044 has seen service (though it is not featured in this film). The footage in detail:

I. In the Neckar Valley (between Horb and Engen)
00:00 SVG 115 261-0 near Talhausen
00:30 NESA 140 797-2 between Talhausen and Rottweil
01:10 SVG 115 261-0 in Rottweil
02:25 NESA 140 797-2 near Sulz am Neckar
03:09 NESA 140 797-2 near Hattingen (Immendingen)
05:12 NESA 140 797-2 departing Engen

II. Between Singen and Konstanz (Lake Constance)
06:00 NESA 140 797-2 Singen Landesgartenschau (State Garden Show)
06:31 SVG 115 261-0 in Singen Hohentwiel
08:57 NESA 140 797-2 Konstanz Seerhein Bridge
09:36 NESA 140 797-2 shunting movement Konstanz/Kreuzlingen (CH)

III. Between Horb and Stuttgart via the Gäu region
12:01 SVG 115 261-0 north of Horb
12:35 NESA 140 797-2 between Horb and Eutingen
13:25 SVG 115 261-0 passing through Eutingen
14:04 NESA 140 797-2 passing through Gärtringen
14:46 SVG 115 261-0 Stuttgart Schattenring
15:26 NESA 140 797-2 Stuttgart West
16:08 SVG 111 185-5 at Stuttgart Central Station (Hbf)

IV. "Incidental catches" along the route
18:39 "Roter Flitzer" railbus in Singen
19:14 DB IC2 (Zürich–Stuttgart) passing through Rottweil
19:38 DB IC2 (Stuttgart–Singen) in Talhausen
20:08 Black Forest Railway train on the Seerhein Bridge in Konstanz
20:29 DB regional train at Stuttgart Schattenring with 111 111-1
20:52 DB regional train with 111 111-1 meets NESA 218 155-0 at Stuttgart Nordbahnhof
21:26 DB IC2 (Zürich–Stuttgart) in Hattingen
22:17 Thurbo Stadler GTW and SBB Re 460 with IR (Konstanz–Zürich) in Konstanz