The Pride of the DDR by junge1
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Description
This train, 175 015-7, one of the series VT 18.16, is a 'Dieselhydrolicschnelltriebzug', a diesel powered Expresstrain. Beginning in 1963 these trains were built by the VEB Waggonbau Goerlitz to showcase the technological know how of the former Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR), the railroad of the former Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR) and to compete with the West German Bundesbahn's Trans-Europ-Express series VT 11.5 series.
The trains consisted of 4 units (later also 6 units) with a engine on both ends, 1st and 2nd class compartments, including sleepers, were standard and a dining car with a 23-seat capacity provided meals cooked to order. VT stands for Verbrennungstriebwagen (combustion rail car), 18 stands for 1,800 hp (900 hp on each end - later 1,000 hp on each end) and 16 stood for a maximum speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) for the 4 unit trains.
Train personnel was carefully screened and selected based on political trustworthiness. The train operators were called 'Pilots' and the other personnel were called 'Stewardesses'. Trains operated routinely between Berlin and Denmark and sometimes Sweden, and between Berlin and Czechoslovakia and Austria. They primarily served diplomats, foreign dignitaries and East German political bigwigs.
The trains were gradually taking out of service and by the beginning 1990's only one train was in operating condition and was used as a museums train.
Length: 98.06 m (4 car units)
Max Speed: 160 km/h (4 car units.
This picture was taken on 31 December 2013 at Bln- Lichtenberg were 175 015-7 is parked on a siding, Sig...
Comments (11)
T.Rex
Nice photo of a real rarity. I've seen this in Denmark on an occasion, but thought it a DB train. Thanks for informing me it was DR. Thanks for the information. Fun to learn something new, even if I've seen it long ago. Keep up the good work! :-)
blankfrancine
Great capture and info.Thanks for bringing some of your world to us.
Cyve
Thank for these informations ... Great capture also !
Faemike55
Wonderful image and history. We don't learn cool stuff like this in schools, unfortunately
weesel
I'm glad one was/is preserved. We can learn a lot from earlier ideas.
starship64 Online Now!
Fantastic capture of this important piece of history.
UteBigSmile
Toll, was du hier wieder vor die Linse bekommen hast!
farmerC
Shining shot.
virginiese Online Now!
Never heard of this train. Great capture of it and thanks for the explanations :-)
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God bless.
junge1
@Virginiese: Don't feel bad Virginie, neither had I until I saw it standing on that siding. Getting the numbers off the engine helped me track the history!