DB Class VT 10.5

DB Class VT 105
Number(s): VT 10 501, VT 10 551
Quantity: 2
Manufacturer: LHB (501)
Wegmann (551)
Year(s) of manufacture: 1953
Retired: 1959, 1960
Axle arrangement: B'1'1'1'1'1'1'B' (501)
B'2'2'2'2'2'2'2'B' (551)
Type: BPw 10ükll (501)
WLAB B Pw WR 18ük (551)
Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Length over couplers: 96,700 mm (317 ft 3 1⁄8 in) (501)
108,900 mm (357 ft 3 3⁄8 in) (551)
Height: 3,525 mm (11 ft 6 3⁄4 in)
Width: 3,024 mm (9 ft 11 in)
Pivot pitch: 12,200 mm (40 ft 3⁄8 in)
Bogie wheelbase: 2,200 mm (7 ft 2 5⁄8 in) (power bogies)
2,000 mm (6 ft 6 3⁄4 in) (carrying bogies)
Service weight: 104.0 t (102.4 long tons; 114.6 short tons) (501)
122.0 t (120.1 long tons; 134.5 short tons) (551)
Axle load: 13.0 t (12.8 long tons; 14.3 short tons)
Top speed: 120 km/h (75 mph) (originally)
160 km/h (99 mph)
Installed power: 4 × 120 kW (160 hp) (originally)
4 × 150 kW (200 hp)
Motor make/model: MAN D 1548 G
Motor type: diesel engine
Power transmission: Torque converter + gearbox
Seats: 135 (501)
12+29 (551)

The VT 10.5 was a diesel multiple unit that was developed by the Deutsche Bundesbahn in the early 1950s. It was first displayed in public at the International Transport Exhibition in Munich in 1953.

Design and operation

Two train sets were built with significant differences in construction. The day train, "Senator" (VT 10 501), consisted of seven cars, including the front and rear engine unit, and was later extended by an 8th car. The cars were connected by single Jacobs axles. Only the first bogies of the power units were twin-axle bogies, both axles being powered. The "Senator" was on duty between Hamburg and Frankfurt/Main from May 1954 until November 1957.

The night train, "Komet" (VT 10 551), was different from the "Senator" though looking the same at first sight. Instead of single Jacobs axles connecting the cars, twin-axle Jacobs bogies were used. The "Komet" was delivered with 8 cars from the outset and had better driving characteristics than the "Senator", which was described as having some "freight-car like" behaviour.

The "Komet" was in service between Zurich and Hamburg from May 1954 until December 1960 and was operated by the DSG (Deutsche Schlafwagen Gesellschaft/German sleeping car company).

Technical data

The VT 10 501 was built by Linke-Hofmann-Busch in 1953 for the Deutsche Bundesbahn. It was designed as a seven-unit train, but was extended to eight cars after initial tests. Every pair of intermediate cars had a common Jacobs axle; only the power cars had twin-axled, powered bogies.

The VT 10 551 built in 1953 for the Deutsche Schlafwagen- und Speisewagengesellschaft by Wegmann in Kassel and taken over on 1 January 1955 by the Deutsche Bundesbahn. The trailer cars were linked by twin-axled Jacobs bogies; the power cars had twin-axled, powered bogies.

Each power car was equipped with two MAN diesel engines of Type D 1548 G, each developing 118 kW (158 hp). Later, the power was increased to 154 kW (207 hp) per engine. The original version had a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph); the later version could attain 160 km/h (99 mph). To supply power to the train, two additional diesel engines were installed, each capable of 92 kW (123 hp). Power transmission was hydraulic with a mechanical four-way gearbox.

Gallery

External links