Deutsche Bahn's planned stock market flotation due to take place in late October was postponed because of the global financial crisis, but it has not been scrapped. News of lucrative executive payouts linked to the flotation have attracted considerable criticism. At the moment, DB managers are traveling the world on the hunt for investors and new business ventures.

Germany's rail company is aiming to expand internationally with the help of its subsidiary DB-International. It has a staff of 800 and is involved in big infrastructure projects: from the building of a rail line through Saudi Arabia to the training of high-speed-train drivers in Taiwan. Only Germany and France have drivers who are experienced enough to drive these trains. Now they're helping to train their Taiwanese counterparts. Michael Altenhenne has visited the Deutsche Bahn's subsidiary in Taiwan.