Silberling

For the wine grape that is also known as Silberling, see Chasselas.

Silberling is the colloquial name for the n-coaches of the Deutsche Bundesbahn, a type of regional passenger coach of which more than 7,000 units were built from 1958 to 1981. Nearly all of the coaches have undergone extensive modernisation – these modernised units are widely known as Mintling, Grünling ("greenling") or Rotling ("redling") after their exterior colours. The term Buntling ("colourling") is used to denote refurbished Silberling coaches in general.

Contents

Origin of the name

The term Silberling derives from the coaches' stainless steel body which gave them a unique look during their term of service. Translated it means "silverling" in the English language.

Technical data

Total length: 26,400 mm
Distance between bogie pivots: 21,500 mm
Empty weight: 42-47 t
Maximum speed: 120 or 140 km/h (varies by type)
Number of seats: 96 seats in second class in Bn coaches
2×24 seats in second and 30 in first class in ABn coaches.

Type overview

Type Year built Number Notes
ABn 703 1959 – 66 798 5 cars with central control (ABnz 703), 20 cars with multi-voltage heating
ABnr 704 1965 – 67 34
ABnrz 704 1968 – 77 380
ABnrz 708 1977 1 Karlsruher Versuchszug (Karlsruhe experimental train)
Bn 719 1969 – 76 1070
Bn 720 1959 – 63 1019
Bnz 723 1965/66 30 Multi-voltage heating
Bnrz 723 1966 40
Bnrz 724 1969/70 180 Field hospital car, steep roof
Bnrz 724.1 1989/90 18 remodeled from Bnrz 725
Bnr 725 1966 – 68 190
Bnrz 725 1967 – 77 449
Bnrz 728 1977 – 80 100 Steep roof
Bnrz 729 1977 2 Karlsruher Versuchszug (Karlsruhe experimental train)
Bnrz 734 1977 1 Karlsruher Versuchszug (Karlsruhe experimental train)
BDnf 735 1978 – 81 71 Rebuilt from BDnf 738, cab car w/o door
BDnf 738 1959 – 64 229 Cab car with front passenger door, 20 cars with multi-voltage heating
BDnrzf 739 1969 40 Cab car with front passenger door, cab removed later on
BDnrzf 740 1971 – 77 310 Cab car, model Karlsruhe
BDn 742 1961 – 64 29 no cab, rebuilt from BDnf 738, 20 cars with multi-voltage heating

See also

German rolling stock
Classification and numbering
German passenger coaches
German goods wagons