As many of you may be unsure about what to expect from a journey when booking a german train ticket, here's a short summary what's going to expect you when actually travelling in a certain type of train or class:

Off-train service

Second class:

• Nothing special

First class:

• In a number of larger stations, you'll have access to the "DB Lounge" where you can sit down and enjoy complimentary hot and soft drinks (only when travelling on IC/EC/ICE trains). A selection of newspapers is available, the Financial Times is also available in english.
• Priority ticket counters in major stations, marked "1st class/bahn.comfort"

InterCityExpress (ICE)
There are 5 different types of ICE trains which feature almost the same interior. Things that may not be available on all types of trains are marked with an asterisk (*).

Second class:

• Seating: Seating is 2-2 with a shared movable armrest between the two seats. The window and aisle armrests are somewhat "crippled" with a width of only about one inch. All seats can be reclined a bit and the seat itself may be shifted forwards (pull the lever under the front right corner of the seat). There are groups of seats available with a table in between, all other seats have airplane-style tables in the seat in front. Adjustable footrests (*) are availble on most trains. Compartments are available (*) seating 6 persons facing each other (with a large table in between), many trains have an additional compartment seating only 4 passengers. Some trains have a small waste bin in each seat row (*).
• Lavatories: Lavatories provide (besides a sink and a toilet) disposable paper towels and hygiene bags.
• Entertainment and electronics: On many trains, an on-seat entertainment system (*) is available. You can listen to 3 pre-recorded programs and 3 radio stations. You'll need a standard stereo jack (3.5mm) to plug into the system.
• Service on train: A restaurant/bistro car (*) is available on most trains. A snack trolley is visiting the 2nd class passengers where you can buy small snacks and drinks. Air condition is available on all trains and train information is displayed electronically. Cell phone repeaters are installed in many coaches while others are marked as silence areas where excessive noise and cell phone usage is prohibited. Most seat rows have power plugs, the ICE 2 (class 402) trains only feature a single power plug at table seats.

First class:

• Seating: Seating is 1-2 with two full movable armrests on each seat. All seats can be reclined a bit and the seat itself may be shifted forwards (pull the lever under the front right corner of the seat). There are groups of seats available with a table in between, all other seats have airplane-style tables in the seat in front. Adjustable footrests (*) are availble on most trains. Compartments are available (*) seating 6 persons facing each other (with a large table in between), many trains have an additional compartment seating only 4 passengers. All seats feature a reading light. Some trains have a small waste bin in each seat row (*).
• Lavatories: Lavatories provide (besides a sink and a toilet) disposable paper towels and hygiene bags. On some trains, there's a larger first class lavatory (*) available.
• Entertainment and electronics: On many trains, an on-seat entertainment system (*) is available. You can listen to 3 pre-recorded programs and 3 radio stations. You'll need a standard stereo jack (3.5mm) to plug into the system. Where available, there may be a video screen (*) installed in the back of the seat in front of you showing two pre-recorded programs.
• Service on train: A restaurant/bistro car (*) is available on most trains. On most trains, there will be a first class steward serving drinks and meals (both subject to payment) at your seat. A choice of (german) newspapers is available free of charge. Sometimes, you'll be served small snacks (nuts, chocolate) free of charge. Air condition is available on all trains and train information is displayed electronically. Cell phone repeaters are installed in many coaches while others are marked as silence areas where excessive noise and and cell phone usage is prohibited. Most seat rows have power plugs, the ICE 2 (class 402) trains only feature a single power plug at table seats.

InterCity/EuroCity (IC/EC)
As IC/EC trains are often run in cooperation with other european railway companies, the actual outfit of the trains may vary. The following list describes the standard layout of the DB InterCity cars.

Second class:

• Seating: Seating is 2-2 with a shared movable armrest between the two seats. Most seats can be reclined a bit. There are groups of seats available with a table in between, all other seats have airplane-style tables in the seat in front. Compartments are available (*) seating 5 to 6 persons (sometimes with a special children's seat (*)) facing each other. Some trains have a small waste bin in each seat row (*). Most seats have reading lights.
• Lavatories: Lavatories provide (besides a sink and a toilet) disposable paper towels.
• Entertainment and electronics: There is no entertainment system available.
• Service on train: A restaurant/bistro car (*) is available on most trains. A snack trolley is visiting the 2nd class passengers where you can buy small snacks and drinks. Air condition (*) is available on many trains and train information is displayed electronically. Power plugs (*) are only available where there are fixed tables and within some compartments.

First class:

• Seating: There are dedicated coach and compartment cars. In coach cars, seating is 1-2 with full fixed armrests between the two seats. Most seats can be reclined a bit, there are movable footrests available. There are groups of seats available with a table in between, all other seats have airplane-style tables in the seat in front. Compartment cars are available (*) seating 6 persons in each compartment facing each other. Compartment seats have adjustable headrests, seats can be pulled out to get an effect of reclining. Some trains have a small waste bin in each seat row (*). All seats have reading lights.
• Lavatories: Lavatories provide (besides a sink and a toilet) disposable paper towels.
• Entertainment and electronics: There is no entertainment system available.
• Service on train: A restaurant/bistro car (*) is available on most trains. Air condition (*) is available on many trains and train information is displayed electronically. Power plugs (*) are only available where there are fixed tables and within some compartments. On some trains, the conductor will be serving drinks and meals (both subject to payment) at your seat.

Local trains: RegionalExpress, RegionalBahn (RE/RB)

The rolling stock of local trains may vary quite a bit, so it doesn't make sense to provide a list of features. Instead, I'll provide some advice on the general layout and the differences between first and second class.

Second class seating is always 2-2 with seats facing each other and, on most trains, row seats. There are only rudimentary tables at the seats facing each other and not tables at all at row seats (exception: 1st class on some trains has full tables between seats). The seats are not reclinable although, on some trains in 1st class, you may adjust the seat and the headrest. Seating in first class varies between 2-2 (with not difference to second class at all) and 1-2 featuring much larger and more comfortable seats than in second class. Air condition is available on some trains and power plugs and reading lights may be available on some of the newest cars. Lavatories are available in most trains, there will be no additional service.