Formation of Deutsche Bundesbahn

On June 25, 1950, the Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB) was formally established to manage rail operations in the Federal Republic of Germany. This reorganization separated western lines from the eastern Reichsbahn and focused on rebuilding war-damaged infrastructure. Steam locomotives like the Class 01 Pacifics dominated initially, later giving way to the famous V200 diesel-hydraulics. The DB played a central role in the Wirtschaftswunder economic miracle by modernizing freight and passenger services. Its formation symbolized the division of Germany and set the stage for later high-speed developments like the Intercity network.