Do you still remember the distinctive hum of the engines and the rhythmic clacking on the tracks? The Deutsche Reichsbahn’s diesel railcars were more than just a means of transportation—they were the lifelines of the East. From the legendary “Vindobona”, which elegantly exuded a touch of the wider world, to the trusty “Blutblase”, which safely carried generations through their homeland.
Immerse yourself in an era full of railroad romance, technical masterpieces, and personal memories of the railways of the GDR. Click on the series designation to view images from our photo database.
Towards the end of its service life, the Deutsche Reichsbahn’s flagship train was frequently used for special excursions. On June 23, 1984, the VT 18.16—also known as the 175 011—arrived at Gernrode station. The image is of particular historical significance, as the Quedlinburg–Gernrode line was converted to narrow gauge starting in 2006. Photo: Hans Rudolf Rappelt
| Baureihe | Betriebsnummern | Baujahr |
|---|---|---|
| VT 2.09.0 / 171.0 / 771.0 (Prototype) | VT 2.09.001–007 (Bautzen, Pre-production series) | 1957 |
| VT 2.09.0 (1. Serie / BR 171.1 / 771.1) | VT 2.09.008–070 (Without multiple-unit control) | 1962–1964 |
| VT 2.09.1 (2. Serie / BR 172.1 / 772.1) | VT 2.09.001–016 (Görlitz, überarbeitete maschinelle Übersetzung) | 1965 |
| VT 2.09.2 (3. Serie / BR 172.2 / 772.2) | VT 2.09.101–173 (Görlitz, with multiple-unit control / buffer beam) | 1967–1969 |
| VT 4.12 / BR 173 | VT 4.12.001 & 002 (Bautzen, Prototype) | 1964–1965 |
| VT 18.16 / BR 175 | VT 18.16.01–08 (Görlitz, international Vindobona express service) | 1963–1968 |