Our History
Rooted in tradition, expertise for tomorrow.
Corporate history of DB Systemtechnik
Then and Now – Partners for a Safe, Reliable Railway System
We, DB Systemtechnik, continue the technical tradition of the Central Bundesbahn Offices and look back on a long history: Originally responsible for the development and testing of railway vehicles for the Deutsche Reichsbahn and later the Deutsche Bundesbahn, these technical centers have evolved into a modern competence center.
Today, we are your leading partner for railway technology in Europe. With a wide range of engineering and testing services, we set global standards and drive innovation in the railway sector. Join us on this exciting journey through our rich history!
1945-1992
The functions of the former Central Reichsbahn Office (Reichsbahnzentralamt) in Berlin are moved to the new Central Bundesbahn Offices (Bundesbahnzentralamt), initially in Göttingen and later, from 1950 onwards, in Minden and Munich.
June 1992
Deutsche Bundesbahn creates the Research and Development Board Division, comprising the Central Bundesbahn Offices and a testing station.
April 1993
Deutsche Bundesbahn creates a new Board Division by the name of "Research and Technology" and bases it in Minden and Munich on the 20th of April.
January 1994
German Rail Reform and establishment of Deutsche Bahn AG, a new rail company governed by private law and owned by the Federal Government as of January, the 1st of 1994.
1994
The Central Bundesbahn Offices are reorganised as a research and technology centre with testing centres in Minden, Munich, Kirchmöser and Berlin.
October 1995
New building in Munich-Freimann: A new administrative building is constructed on Völckerstrasse, Munich, on the site of the Munich Freimann testing station.
April 1997
The Deutsche Bahn Research and Technology Centre is established on the 1st of April.
January 2002
On the first of January the Research and Technology Centre is renamed DB Systemtechnik.
September 2011
DB Systemtechnik is spun off to form a separate limited liability company on the first of September.
January 2012
Takeover of two British companies – ESG Rail and RAL – by DB Schenker UK
January 2013
Office in Paris is opened on the 1st of January.
April 2013
DB Systemtechnik becomes a rail company in its own right and can perform test runs on its own.
October 2020
Office in Shanghai is opened.
August 2021
Office in Poland is opened.
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