Product Features and Details
Information about the model
Even before the First World War, Prussia planned the electrification of several Silesian mountain lines, including the so-called "Zackenbahn" (named after the Zacken River) between Hirschberg and Polun. Given the challenging topography, significant savings and more efficient operations were anticipated if this relatively new type of traction proved successful. However, the outbreak of the First World War prevented the project from being completed quickly, and continuous service did not commence until 1923. Since operating locomotive-hauled trains proved cumbersome due to fluctuating traffic volumes, the use of multiple units was considered early on. The suitability of the ET88 units, originally procured for Berlin's suburban rail network, prompted the German Reichsbahn (DRG) to acquire additional four-axle electric multiple units. Between 1926 and 1927, LHW Breslau and WUMAG in Görlitz, in cooperation with the SSW works, delivered a total of 11 railcars, which were to become the symbol of electric traction in Silesia. The distinctive vehicles with their open boarding platforms were nicknamed "Rübezahl" by the local population, a name that actually refers to a capricious mountain spirit of the Giant Mountains. Initially painted green and designated "Breslau 511-521," the railcars were always operated in pairs with up to eight lightweight standard branch line carriages as trailers. Between Josephinenhütte and Grünthal, due to low demand, a single railcar operated. The greatest influx of passengers occurred on weekends with good weather and during the winter sports season. On these occasions, up to three railcars with twelve trailers operated as a train. At the beginning of the 1930s, the railcars received the new designations elT 1011-1019 and a two-tone livery. In 1941, the four-axle railcars received their final numbers and became ET89 01-11. Except for ET89 11, which had to be scrapped in 1943 due to an accident, all survived the end of the war and the end of electric traction in Silesia. Four railcars went to the Polish State Railways (PKP), but were not used there. The exact whereabouts of three others are unknown. ET89 01, 04, and 07 reached the western occupation zones and thus became part of the fleet of the German Federal Railway (DB), founded in 1949. Only ET89 04 was refurbished and served at the Munich Central Station depot. Initially listed as a 2nd and 3rd class carriage, later photographs show it as a purely 3rd class vehicle, which, after the class reform of 1956, carried only 2nd class passengers. On September 2, 1959, its last hour struck – ET89 04 was decommissioned as the last example of its type and dismantled shortly afterwards, so that today only a few photos remain to remind us of the unique railcars.
Model details
- NEW:
- Illuminated upper carriage lanterns, or train tail lights
- Separately switchable interior lighting
- 3. Headlights can be switched separately
- New engine
- New sound
