DB Class VT 12.5

DB Class VT 12.5 DB Class 612/912
280px Classes 612 (VT12.5) and 613 (VT12.6, ex VT08.5) at the Brunswick depot in 1983
In service	1953–1985
Manufacturer	Waggonfabrik Josef Rathgeber (except 1957 VMs: Waggon- und Maschinenbau GmbH Donauwörth)
Constructed	1953 (VT+VM+VS × 4), 1957 (remainder)
Number built	VT: 12 VM: 13 VS: 4 (+5 from VT 08.5)
Number in service	Nil
Number preserved	VT: 2 VM: 2
Formation	2-car: VT+VS 3-car: VT+VM+VS 3-car: VT+VM+VT 4-car: VT+VM+VM+VT
Fleet numbers	VT12 501–512 → 612 501–512 VM12 501–513 → 912 501–513 VS12 501–504 → 912 601–604 VS12 505–509 → 913 609–613
Operator(s)	DB
Specifications
Train length	3-car: 77.81 m (255 ft 3 in)
Maximum speed	140 km/h (87 mph)
Weight	3-car: 121.4 tonnes (119.5 long tons; 133.8 short tons)
Transmission	diesel-hydraulic
UIC classification	3-car: B′2′+2′2′+2′2′
Safety system(s)	Sifa / Indusi I54

The VT 12⁵ is a former diesel multiple unit commissioned by the Deutsche Bundesbahn from 1953 onwards. It was commonly used with either two or three car configurations, using the VM 12 middle car and VS 12 driving van trailer. Three-car trains were usually made up of two motor units and one unpowered middle car. The trainsets were routinely made up from twelve driving cars, four control cars and 13 middle cars and used in city express services. The VT 12⁵ was used in regional traffic, with first and second class saloon seating.

History

With the experience gained from the VT 92 test car, the VT 12⁵ was conceived for regional services and worked these until 1984. Four sets of a motor unit, centre coach and control coach were supplied in 1953 as VT/VM/VS 12 501–504. In 1957 eight motor units, VT 12 505–512, and nine centre coaches, VM 12 505–513 were added. Five superfluous VS 08.5 units were converted into control cars in about 1957 and designated VS 12 505–509. This second delivery was also aimed at train ferry services to Denmark. Until 1971 the long distance variant, VT 08⁵ was adapted to the VT 12⁵ and, after its conversion, designated as the VT 12⁶. From 1968 the VT 12⁵ bore the EDV class number 612, the VT 12⁶ was redesignated as the Class 613. After initially operating from Cologne and Dortmund the DMUs were based for many years at the Hamburg-Altona railway depot and, from 1982, stationed at the Brunswick depot.

Technology

The VT 12⁵ was derived from the express DMU, the VT 08⁵.

• Stuttgarter Roessle 0289.jpg

  Stuttgarter Rössle

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  Stuttgarter Rössle

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  Logo of the Stuttgarter Rössle

• VT 12 5 Stuttgarter Roessle.jpg

  Stuttgarter Rössle as a guest at the Bahnpark Augsburg

• VT 12.5 Gang zum Führerstand.jpg

  The gangway to the driver's cab

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  Driver's cab

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  Driving console

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  View in the engine room