The train was named after the statue of Roland that was erected in the market square (Rathausplatz) of Bremen, Germany, in 1404 and has since become a symbol of that city.

Over the years, the termini, route, classification and formation (consist) of the Roland varied significantly.

On 1 June 1969, the Roland was upgraded in status to a Trans Europ Express (TEE), running Bremen – Frankfurt – Milan.

Its operation was suspended at the start of the summer timetable period, on 1 June, and it was due to resume the following winter and be a winter-only service,[3] but that did not happen.

However, after only a one-year hiatus, the Roland returned to the rails in 1981 as a two-class InterCity (IC), initially running Bremen – Basel,[4] shifting in late 1985 to a Hamburg – Cologne – Frankfurt route.