VT 98 + VS 98 | Gauge Minitrix - Article No. 12554

Rail Bus with a Control Car (conventional).

Prototype: German Federal Railroad (DB) class 798 rail bus with the class 998 trailer car. Former classes VT 98 and VS 98. Two-motor design, built starting in 1955. Used in commuter service outside of metropolitan areas.

e P 2 Y 4
Rail Bus with a Control Car (conventional).
Rail Bus with a Control Car (conventional).

Most Important Facts

Article No. 12554
Gauge / Design type Minitrix /
Era IV
Kind Powered Rail Cars
Article not produced anymore.
Check with your local dealer
Find Dealer

Highlights

  • 5-pole motor with a flywheel.
  • Continuous lighting with LEDs, even in a multiple unit train.
  • Product description

    Model: Era IV. The frames are made of die-cast metal. The motor car has a 5-pole motor with a flywheel; both axles powered. The headlights, marker lights, and interior lighting are maintenance-free LEDs. There is a special separable coupling between the cars. The motor can also be run by itself. There are non-working reproductions of prototype couplers included for installation on the ends of the cars. Total length over the buffers 175 mm / 6-7/8".

    The digital version with a DCC/Selectrix decoder is available as item no. 12555. The VB 98 trailer car to lengthen both versions of the rail bus is item no. 15855.

    Spare parts for our articles can be found here in our spare parts search.

  • Publications

    - Main Catalog 2007/2008 - New items 2007 - Main Catalog 2008/2009 - Main Catalog 2009/2010 - Main Catalog 2010/2011
  • Prototype information

    Unforgettable Branch Line Growlers. The experiences with the single-motor class VT 95 (later the class 795) rail busses developed by the firm Waggonfabrik Uerdingen proved the basic suitability of these units for the urgently necessary modernization of branch line service. At the same time, the class VT 95"s power plant was too weak for routes with grades, particularly when operated with trailer units. For that reason, three prototypes of the class VT 98.9 (later the class 798.9) rail bus equipped with two 150 horsepower / 110 kilowatt Büssing motors followed a year later. These units fulfilled by far the expectations set for them. However, the three test units still had Scharfenberg center couplers and lightweight spring-loaded metal straps for protection against contact with locomotives and cars with regular buffers. Delivery of the regular production two-motor class 98.95 (later the class 798.5) rail busses began in 1955. Compared to the test prototypes, the 329 units built were equipped with newly developed frames for the wheel sets with improved running characteristics as well as standard prototype couplers, regular buffers, and a standard design brake system. This enabled these more powerfully motorized rail cars to also pull transfer freight cars if necessary. In addition, the VT 98 units had a form of multiple unit control that enabled not only push/pull operation, but also the control of a motor car at the other end of the train. Suitable control cars (VS 98) and trailer cars (VM 98) were also placed into service to go with these motor cars. These crimson red rail bus sets quickly defined the look on German branch line routes, where they quickly replaced the trains that previously were still hauled by steam locomotives. The Uerdingen rail bus sets left an enduring impression on the memory of many railroad passengers: For decades these red growlers were synonymous for mobility in rural areas. The hearts of many railroad users still belong to these lovable "branch line saviors" from the time when they were placed into service.

Warning

ATTENTION: not for children under 3 years