German High-Speed Rail Trials Begin

August 24, 1925, saw the Deutsche Reichsbahn launch experimental runs of the streamlined Flying Hamburger diesel train between Berlin and Hamburg. Powered by two Maybach engines, the two-car unit reached speeds over 100 mph, slashing travel time dramatically. Engineers like Franz Kruckenberg applied aerodynamic principles learned from aviation to reduce drag. This innovation came amid post-WWI economic recovery and demonstrated diesel's superiority over steam for express service. The trials influenced the later Fliegende Hamburger service and inspired global streamlining trends, laying groundwork for Germany's ICE network and worldwide high-speed rail development.