The Heinrich Heine was an express train operated by Deutsche Bundesbahn, initially linking Frankfurt am Main and Dortmund.

[2] This concept of a pair of trains running at the same time on the same route in opposite directions was later applied as principle of the EuroCity network's schedule.

[3] After one year of service the Heinrich Heine was suspended during the summer, so in 1980, 1981 and 1982 the train did not ride during June, July and August.

After German reunification the Heinrich Heine was prolonged farther east to Dresden on 2 June 1991.

On 28 June 1995 the eastern terminus shifted even to Prague but on 27 May 1997 it was shortened to the original EuroCity service Frankfurt -Paris.