DB Class VT 11.5

DB VT 11.5
DB Classes 601 and 901
Class 601 in TEE livery, 1970 Munich Hauptbahnhof
In service1957 to 1988 (DB) or 1991 (DR)
ManufacturerMAN, LHB, Wegmann
Constructed1957
Number built
  • 19 power cars[1]
  • 48 trailer cars
Fleet numbers
  • Power cars:
  • VT 11 5001–5019 → 601 001–019
  • Trailers:
  • VM 11 5101–5123 → 901 101–123
  • VM 11 5201–5208 → 901 201–208
  • VM 11 5301–5308 → 901 301-908
  • VM 11 5401–5409 → 901 401–409
Specifications
Train length130,720 mm (428 ft 10+12 in)
Width3,012 mm (9 ft 10+58 in)
Wheel diameter
  • Powered: 950 mm (3 ft 1+38 in)
  • Unpowered: 900 mm (2 ft 11+38 in)
Maximum speed160 km/h (99 mph)[1]
WeightService: 214 t (211 long tons; 236 short tons)
Axle load18 t (18 long tons; 20 short tons)
Prime mover(s)MTU 12V 538 TA 10 or
Maybach MD650/aB
Transmissionhydraulic
UIC classificationB′2′+2′2′+2′2′+2′2′+2′2′+2′2′+2′B′
Braking system(s)Disc brake, Electromagnetic track brake
Coupling systemScharfenberg
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)

The trainsets of Class VT 11.5 (often simply called TEE) were diesel multiple units built by Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB) in 1957 and used for Trans Europ Express (TEE) services. Perceived as flagships of the DB rolling stock, they carried first-class seating only. When the UIC numbering scheme became effective on 1 January 1968, the power heads of the trainsets were renamed to Class 601 whilst the middle cars became Class 901 according to the DB locomotive classification. They were used for TEE service from 1957 until 1972 and thereafter on German InterCity services.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Haydock, David (June–July 1996). "The Second Demise of the TEE". Today's Railways. Sheffield, UK: Platform 5 Publishing: 22–24. ISSN 1354-2753.