Originally Posted by
KQ321
- If you miss a connection because a previous train on that ticket was late, then DB will allow you to take the next train. (In the case of short, local train, like this example, you can just jump on. However, for long-distance trains, I think you're supposed to check with DB first (eg: with the conductor on the delayed train), and if you're booked on a cheaper train (say IC/EC) and missed the connection, I'm not sure they'd would automatically let you take an ICE instead).
As mentioned several times already, tickets for most local trains in Germany and the Netherlands are not train-specific, even though it does say so on the ticket. There should be no problem whatsoever taking a different regional train to DUS.
On the Amsterdam to Duisburg line, you do require a train-specific ticket. Should you miss your connecting ICE train, a DB staff member will stamp your original ticket and write the details of your permitted new train on the ticket. You can now only travel on that train.
You will not be 'upgraded' from IC/EC to ICE.