Germany's First Railway Opens

On July 26, 1835, the Ludwig Railway inaugurated Germany's first steam-powered public railway with a 6-kilometer line connecting Nuremberg and Fürth. Engineer Paul Camille von Denis oversaw construction, importing the Adler locomotive from England built by George and Robert Stephenson. The opening ceremony featured King Ludwig I and drew massive crowds, symbolizing Bavaria's entry into the industrial age. This modest line overcame skepticism about steam power and quickly proved profitable through passenger and goods traffic. It inspired rapid expansion across German states, laying groundwork for the unified Deutsche Reichsbahn and modern high-speed networks like the ICE.