It was then extended in 1856 and 1859 to include Cologne Central Station.
Koblenz is an important interchange in the south for services along the Mosel Valley to France and south to Mainz whilst Cologne is an important local, national and international train hub with more than 280,000 daily travellers frequenting the station. At the midpoint of the route, the former West German capital of Bonn accommodates regular ICE trains that serve much of Germany. Medieval towns and castles along the line, plus river barges passing serenely by remind passengers of the historic area they travel through between the two densely urban cities of Cologne and Koblenz.2 diesel locomotive and Doppelstock (double-decker) coaches forming the RE5 ‘Rhine Express’.