Eurail Group G.I.E., hosted a special media event in Leipzig, Germany, on the 4th and 5th June 2012, to celebrate 40 years of InterRail Pass Travel. The celebration took place at the ‘Bayerische Bahnhof’ which is a former end station built in 1842 and considered the oldest end station in Europe.
This event was made possible by working in close cooperation with the Leipzig tourism board and a wide number of the European member railways. International media from seventeen different European countries joined the Eurail Group, plus, a number of guest speakers. Germany is the second largest InterRail Pass market (after Italy) and Leipzig was elected as the location to celebrate this milestone because of its rich history and famous Bavarian Railway Staion (the Bayerische Bahnhof). The station no longer serves as a ‘terminus’ station, however, its former glory has been restored and transformed into a popular restaurant and brewery. In fact, the famous Leipzig Gose beer is made on the impressive premises.
During the event, the guests were delighted to witness a sneak preview of the recently produced InterRail documentary highlighting the social history of InterRail Pass travel in Europe. It proved a huge success and was well received by the international audience. António Nobre, the documentary’s producer was one of the special guests, he’s been InterRailing since 1998.
The Eurail Group was also proud to invite Mr. Manfred Weis as a guest speaker; the Guinness Book of Records holder for travelling 36,030 kilometres by train in 30 days. He personifies the InterRail spirit of adventure and is currently InterRailing with his family because he wants his son to take to the rails and continue in his footsteps…
Although Europe has dramatically changed since 1972 when InterRail was first introduced to European’s under the age of 21, the spirit and feel of InterRail remains the same. Travelling with InterRail gives the pass holder more freedom and the opportunity to meet new friends along the way. It’s a rail pass which also offers the owner an education into the way other cultures live and the rich history of Europe.
“InterRail continues to lay the foundation for many peoples enthusiasm towards rail travel by acting as a symbolic gateway to Europe and encouraging openness towards other cultures” says Ana Dias e Seixas, Marketing Director of the Eurail Group. “Lets keep the train going and keep the spirit of InterRail alive for the next forty years”.
