Dessauer Verkehrs- und Eisenbahngesellschaft

Dessauer Verkehrs- und Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH (DVE) is a German transport company based in Dessau, Saxony-Anhalt. It was founded in 2001 as a railway infrastructure undertaking (Eisenbahninfrastrukturunternehmen, EIU) within the municipal utility group Stadtwerke Dessau, following the comprehensive renovation of the Dessau–Wörlitz railway line between 1999 and 2001. The line itself came into the ownership of the city of Dessau during that period, and DVE was established as a sister company to the Dessauer Verkehrsgesellschaft (DVG), the local public transport operator. DVE's core responsibility is the operation, maintenance and upkeep of the Dessau–Wörlitz railway infrastructure. For many years, passenger services on the line were provided by Anhaltische Bahn Gesellschaft (ABG), a subsidiary of the association Dessau-Wörlitzer Eisenbahn e.V., operating on behalf of DVE. DVE owned rolling stock, including two class 670 double-deck railbuses (670 005 'Elfriede' and 670 006 'Alfred'), which were leased to ABG alongside ABG's own 670 002 'Alma'. Over time, DVE also employed staff for workshop and bus operations within the DVG, ensuring rail replacement services could be maintained when the railway was unavailable. In December 2010, following accidents and a smoldering fire in a double-deck railbus, ABG filed for insolvency. As a result, DVE itself became a railway transport undertaking (Eisenbahnverkehrsunternehmen, EVU) in 2011. It refurbished railcar 670 004 (formerly 670 005) in new livery and named it 'Fürst Franz', commencing passenger operations on 19 June 2011 with a two-hourly service from Wednesday to Sunday, and daily during summer holidays. For the 2012 season, a second railcar, 670 003 (formerly 670 006), was completed as 'Fürstin Louise'. Since May 2017, 670 004 has been withdrawn due to defects and serves as a spare parts donor for 670 003, limiting operations beyond the regular Wörlitz railway schedule. In January 2020, DVE acquired three class 672 railcars from the former Burgenlandbahn and has operated two of them since the 2020 season start in July. DVE remains a subsidiary within the Stadtwerke Dessau group and continues to manage both infrastructure and heritage-oriented passenger services on the Dessau–Wörlitz line, a route closely associated with the Wörlitz Garden Kingdom and the Dessau-Wörlitz cultural landscape.

The Dessauer Verkehrs- und Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH (DVE) was founded in 2001 as a railway infrastructure undertaking (EIU) within the municipal utility group Stadtwerke Dessau. Its creation followed the comprehensive renovation of the Dessau–Wörlitz railway line between 1999 and 2001, after which the line came into the ownership of the city of Dessau. DVE was established as a sister company to the Dessauer Verkehrsgesellschaft (DVG), the local public transport operator. Initially, DVE was responsible for the infrastructure of the Dessau–Wörlitz line, while passenger services were operated by Anhaltische Bahn Gesellschaft (ABG), a subsidiary of the association Dessau-Wörlitzer Eisenbahn e.V., on behalf of DVE. DVE owned two class 670 double-deck railbuses, 670 005 'Elfriede' and 670 006 'Alfred', which were leased to ABG alongside ABG's own 670 002 'Alma'. In subsequent years, DVE also employed staff for workshop and bus operations within DVG, ensuring rail replacement services could be provided when the railway was unavailable. In 2010, after accidents and a smoldering fire in a double-deck railbus, the season was completed with rail replacement services. In December 2010, ABG filed for insolvency. Consequently, DVE became a railway transport undertaking (EVU) in 2011. It refurbished railcar 670 004 (formerly 670 005) in new livery and named it 'Fürst Franz', starting passenger operations on 19 June 2011 with a two-hourly service from Wednesday to Sunday, and daily during summer holidays. For the 2012 season, which began on 6 April, a second railcar, 670 003 (formerly 670 006), was completed as 'Fürstin Louise'. Since May 2017, 670 004 has been withdrawn due to various defects and serves as a spare parts donor for 670 003. As a result, operations beyond the regular Wörlitz railway schedule, such as services to Ferropolis or two-train operation, were not possible. In January 2020, DVE acquired three class 672 railcars from the former Burgenlandbahn and has operated two of them since the 2020 season start in July.

• 2020

  DVE acquires three class 672 railcars from the former Burgenlandbahn in January; two enter service from July.

• 2017

  Railcar 670 004 withdrawn from service in May due to defects; used as spare parts donor.

• 2012

  Second railcar 670 003 'Fürstin Louise' completed for the season starting 6 April.

• 2011

  DVE becomes a railway transport undertaking (EVU); railcar 670 004 'Fürst Franz' enters service on 19 June.

• 2010

  ABG files for insolvency in December after accidents and a smoldering fire in a double-deck railbus.

• 2001

  DVE founded as a railway infrastructure undertaking (EIU) within Stadtwerke Dessau.

Municipal railway infrastructure and transport operator within the Stadtwerke Dessau group, focused on the Dessau–Wörlitz line.

• Railway infrastructure management (Dessau–Wörlitz line)

• Passenger rail transport (since 2011)

• Rail replacement bus services

• Rolling stock maintenance and refurbishment

1. 1Dessauer Verkehrs- und Eisenbahngesellschaft – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Dessauer Verkehrs- und Eisenbahngesellschaft – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3DVE subpage on dvg-dessau.dedvg-dessau.de