Gauge: H0    Era: III   
 
Prototype: German Federal Railroad (DB) class VT 08.5 diesel powered rail car train, as FT 43 "Roland" running from Basle SBB to Bremen. 4-car set in a crimson red paint scheme. 1 class VT 08.5 powered car with galley and dining area (WRPwPost4üm), 2 class VM 08.5 intermediate cars with compartments (A4üm), 1 class VT 08.5 powered car with compartments (A4üm). The train looks as it did around 1959.
 
Model: The train is a four-part unit consisting of 2 powered cars (VT) and 2 intermediate cars (VM). The train has an mfx digital decoder and extensive sound functions. It also has controlled Softdrive Sine high-efficiency propulsion, and a compact design, maintenance free motor. 2 axles powered on one powered car. Traction tires. The train has factory-installed, built-in interior lighting. The triple headlights and dual red marker lights change over with the direction of travel. These lights, the interior lighting, and the cab lights will work in conventional operation and can be controlled digitally. The headlights, interior lights, and cab lights are maintenance-free, warm white LEDs; the red marker lights are maintenance-free LEDs. There are special, close couplings between the cars. The train has built-in interior details. There is a clear view through the engineer's cabs on the end cars. The ends of the powered cars have separately applied imitations of prototype couplers. The power pickup changes with the direction of travel so that pickup shoe on the powered car at the front of the train is picking up power.

Length of the four-part train 114 cm / 44-7/8".

• Correct reproduction of the 4 car set as it looked in the prototype.
• Powered car units constructed chiefly of metal.
• Compact design Softdrive Sine high-efficiency propulsion.
• mfx decoder with various sound functions.
• Factory-installed interior lighting with warm white LEDs.

One-time series.
 

Early German Federal Railroad Flagship Train and the Wonder of Bern - The first five sets of the VT 08 express powered rail car trains were available to the German Federal Railroad as early as the summer schedule of 1952. The thoughts given to the new development of diesel powered rail car trains with hydraulic transmissions went all the way back to the foundation of the German Federal Railroad. Thus, thirteen three-unit trains from the first production series were built by 1953 for important long distance express passenger service as part of the new construction program. Another six engine cars with dining car arrangements and seven intermediate cars were added by 1954 in the second production run. These units were used primarily to lengthen the existing trains to four and five-unit consists with powered end cars at both ends. The modern, comfortable VT 08 represented the epitome of the new German Federal Railroad and enjoyed great popularity among the passengers. The smooth rounded form of the ends of the train quickly led to the nickname „Egg Heads“. These deluxe trains provided service on long distance routings with sonorous names such as „Rheinblitz“, „Münchner Kindl“, „Roland“, „Schauinsland“ or „Saphir“. These fast trains were also used on foreign routes such as the „Paris-Ruhr“ (Dortmund-Paris) as well as the „Helvetia“ (Hamburg-Zürich). The prime time for the VT 08 extended well into the 1960s. After electrification of many major routes, the VT 08 trains were then still used partially in TEE service. Later, these trains were rebuilt to simpler standards for plain fast train service.

 

      

  
Released in: New items brochure 2010