Marklin 58144 - Skirted Passenger Car

Prototype: German Federal Railroad (DB) type B4üwe express train passenger car. 2nd class. Görlitz design trucks.
 

Model: This is a four-axle compartment car with interior details. It has built-in interior lighting. The car has separately applied vents and marker signal holders. It has diaphragms and ladders. The car has close couplers mounted in a guide mechanism. Minimum radius for operation 1,020 mm / 40-3/16".

Length over the buffers 66.3 cm / 26-3/16".
 

From 1939 on the German State Railroad purchased two variations of skirted passenger cars, which were practically identical. The only difference was that the type ABC 4ü-39 cars had a 1st class compartment instead of the third 2nd class compartment of the type BC 4ü-39 cars. The compartment lengths were the same for both classes, so that the same window pattern could be used. Externally, the ABC car was identified by the additional "1" underneath the respective compartment window. Naturally, the car was a lot more comfortable than its third class sibling. The walls were clad in plywood and to some extent veneer. The German State Railroad selected Linoleum as a floor covering. Modern Görlitz type III trucks ensured a quiet ride in the car. In addition to steam heating, the German State Railroad also installed electric heating. The cars, built by Zypen & Charlier in Cologne-Deutz, provided excellent service. When 3rd class was done away with, the German Federal Railroad designated all of the cars as 1st and 2nd class cars. Existing 3rd class compartments were rebuilt. These 21,250 mm / 69 foot 8 inch cars had to make way for the 26.4 meter / 86 foot 7 inch standard design cars.