Initially, the Iris was a first-class-only Trans Europ Express (TEE). In 1981, it became a two-class InterCity (IC), and on 31 May 1987, it was included in the then-new EuroCity (EC) network.[2] As of 2015[update], the Iris was one of two EuroCity train-pairs running daily between Brussels and Switzerland; the other was the Vauban.[3]
History
The eastbound service was cut back to Brussels–Basel in December 2011; in December 2013 the latter was also cut back to start in Basel.
The service was discontinued on April 3 2016, alongside the introduction of a high-speed TGV service to Strasbourg.[4]
Goette, Peter; Willen, Peter (2006). TEE-Züge in der Schweiz sowie Schweizer TEE-Züge im Ausland [TEE Trains in Switzerland as well as Swiss TEE Trains abroad]. Freiburg i.B.: EK-Verlag. ISBN978-3-88255-697-1. (in German)
Malaspina, Jean-Pierre; Mertens, Maurice (2007). TEE: la légende des Trans-Europ-Express [TEE: The Legend of the Trans Europ Express]. Auray: LR Presse. ISBN978-29-03651-45-9. (in French)
Malaspina, Jean-Pierre; Mertens, Maurice (2008). TEE: la leggenda dei Trans-Europ-Express [TEE: The Legend of the Trans Europ Express]. Salò: ETR – Editrice Trasporti su Rotaie. ISBN978-88-85068-31-5. (in Italian)
Mertens, Maurice; Malaspina, Jean-Pierre; von Mitzlaff, Berndt (2009). TEE - Die Geschichte des Trans-Europ-Express [TEE - The History of the Trans Europ Express]. Düsseldorf: Alba Publikation. ISBN978-3-87094-199-4. (in German)