DB Class VT 98
| DB VT 95.9 DB 795 |
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|---|---|
Class VT 95.9
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| Number(s) | VT 95 901–911, VT 95 912/9112 VT 95 9113–9669 VT 95 9901–9915 (EdS) |
| Quantity | 12+557+15 |
| Manufacturer | Waggonfabrik Uerdingen, Rathgeber, Orions, Lüttgens, Waggonbau Donauwörth |
| Year(s) of manufacture | 1950–1958 |
| Retired | 1983 |
| Axle arrangement | A1 |
| Axle arrangement | (?) |
| Type | B |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Length over buffers | 10.65–13.298 m (34 ft 11 1⁄4 in–43 ft 7 1⁄2 in) |
| Wheelbase | 4.5 m (15 ft) (901–911) 6 m (20 ft) |
| Service weight | 11.5–13.9 t (11.3–13.7 long tons; 12.7–15.3 short tons) |
| Axle load | 6–7 t (5.9–6.9 long tons; 6.6–7.7 short tons) |
| Top speed | 90 km/h (56 mph) |
| Installed power | 81 kW (109 hp)/96 kW (129 hp)/110 kW (150 hp) |
| Driving wheel diameter | 0.9 m (35.43 in) |
| Carrying wheel diameter | 0.9 m (35.43 in) |
| Motor make/model | (?) |
| Motor type | (?) |
| Power transmission | mechanical |
| Brakes | Compressed-air brake |
| Seats | 57 |
| DB VT 98.9 798 |
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|---|---|
798 752-2 on the Kasbach Valley Railway
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| Number(s) | VT 98 901–903 VT 98 9501–9829 |
| Quantity | 329 |
| Manufacturer | Waggonfabrik Uerdingen, MAN, WMD |
| Year(s) of manufacture | 1953, 1955–1962 |
| Retired | 2000 |
| Axle arrangement | Bo |
| Type | B |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Length over buffers | 13.95 m (45 ft 9 1⁄4 in) |
| Service weight | 18.9 t (18.6 long tons; 20.8 short tons) |
| Axle load | 9.7 t (9.5 long tons; 10.7 short tons) |
| Top speed | 90 km/h (56 mph) |
| Installed power | 2 × 110 kW (150 hp) |
| Driving wheel diameter | 0.9 m (35.43 in) |
| Motor make/model | Büssing AG U 10 |
| Motor type | (?) |
| Power transmission | mechanical |
| Brakes | Compressed air brake |
| Seats | 56+2 |
The Uerdingen railbus (German: Uerdinger Schienenbus) is the common term for the multiple units which were developed by the German firm of Waggonfabrik Uerdingen for the Deutsche Bundesbahn and private railways after the Second World War. These vehicles were diesel-powered, twin-axle railbuses of light construction. The diesel motors were built into the chassis underneath the vehicle. The VT 95 (later DB Class 795) and VT 98 (later DB Class 798) of the former Deutsche Bundesbahn in particular, are associated with this concept. These vehicles were employed in passenger train duties on branch lines where steam or diesel train operations were less profitable. Including the units built under licence, a total of 1,492 power cars were built from 1950 to 1971; and the total number of units, including trailer and driving cars, was 3,306.
The majority of these vehicles were built by the Waggonfabrik Uerdingen. However, due to the large numbers ordered, vehicles were also made by other coach builders such as MAN, although these factories could offer their own classes of railbus like the MAN railbus, and in Spain they were built by CAF, Macosa, and Verdingen as FER-560/FRC-560 Ferrobús (railbus).
The railbus, much loved by passengers, was also nicknamed the Rote Brummer (Red Buzzer) because of the loud noise it made when driving. In North Germany the railbus was also often known as the Ferkeltaxe (Piglet Taxi). Amongst railway fans it was also called the Retter der Nebenbahnen (Branch Line Saviour).
In 1950 the Deutsche Bundesbahn placed twelve single-motored prototypes in a total of three different models; eleven units had a wheelbase of 4.50 m, the twelfth had a wheelbase of 6.0 m, which became the standard on the production vehicles. They were braked using a foot brake and had double doors. The prototypes were given operating numbers VT 95 901 to 911 and 912, the latter was soon renumbered to VT 95 9112 because of its longer wheelbase. Suitable trailer cars were also placed in service.
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Wikipedia