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DSB, Danske Statsbaner




Danske Statsbaner (DSB), (or the Danish State Railways), is Denmark's national railway company, and the largest in Scandinavia. DSB was founded in 1885, when the Danish government took over private railway companies to establish a unified state-owned railway operator to improve Denmark's transportation network. Early railways were characterized by steam locomotives, and DSB initially focused on connecting major cities, including Copenhagen, Odense, Aarhus, and Aalborg. During World War I (1914–1918), Denmark remained neutral, and the railways played a critical role in maintaining domestic transport and trade. During the interwar years, DSB modernized its fleet and introduced diesel locomotives. Diesel-powered trains like the "Lyntog" (Lightning Train) were introduced in the 1930s, significantly reducing travel times. In 1934, the S-train network (Copenhagen suburban trains) was electrified. Copenhagen’s urban expansion later led to the S-train system becoming the backbone of suburban transport. During World War II (1939–1945), Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany, which heavily utilized the Danish railway network. The war caused significant strain, with infrastructure damaged towards the end. After WWII, DSB focused on rebuilding damaged lines and stations.  From the 1980ies DSB invested in new rolling stock, and electrification of mainlines began. The opening of the Øresund Bridge in 2000 connected Copenhagen and Malmö, Sweden, with DSB and Swedish operator SJ sharing cross-border services with electric trains. In the 2010s, DSB began focusing on high-speed rail development and further electrification to meet environmental goals. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Denmark's rail sector faced EU railway liberalization laws, introducing competition. The liberalization reform resulted in the selling and outsourcing of many railway lines and services across the country and resulted in splitting rail infrastructure management (taken over by Banedanmark) from train operations.

October 31th 2024

 

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