DB Class 670
| Company type | Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail vehicle manufacturing |
| Fate | Merged with Bombardier Transportation in 1998 |
| Successor | Bombardier Transportation |
| Headquarters | Dessau and Halle-Ammendorf , Germany |
Area served | Germany |
| Products | Rail vehicles (including DB Class 670 railbus) |
The DB Class 670 (Baureihe 670) represents a double-decker diesel railbus designed for Deutsche Bahn by the Dessau and Halle-Ammendorf branches of Deutsche Waggonbau AG (DWA). It is built with two axles and incorporates mechanical parts commonly found in standard motorbuses.
Development
The chassis of the vehicle is constructed from lightweight steel, while its exterior comprises glued galvanized panels complemented by glass-fibre laminate at the cab ends. Double folding-sliding doors are installed on both sides, and access to the upper deck is provided via spiral staircases.
The initial prototype was introduced in autumn 1994 and later presented at Innotrans 1996 under the designation "670 000" painted in red. Unlike the six units produced in series, this prototype never received certification for passenger transport.
History
Starting in 1996, six vehicles were deployed on routes within Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Rhineland-Palatinate. The fleet experienced operational challenges, including issues with air conditioning and engine cooling systems, as well as the lack of onboard restroom facilities. Initially, the trains sported a white livery with a red stripe reminiscent of the Intercity Express, but were subsequently repainted in the "Verkehrsrot" (RAL 3020) color scheme featuring a white stripe. A seventh unit was partially constructed but dismantled prior to completion. Plans for a successor series, designated 670.1, were abandoned due to these technical difficulties and disagreements between DWA and Deutsche Bahn.
These railbuses operated on lines such as Weimar–Kranichfeld, the Moselweinbahn, Trier-Perl, and later on Stendal-Tangermünde. From June 1996, units 670 002 and 005 were assigned to the Bullay–Traben-Trarbach route, which attracted tourists but was eventually discontinued because of reliability problems and hot box incidents. Service on the Upper Mosel line commenced in September 1996 but was terminated due to insufficient capacity and absence of toilet facilities.
Operations in Thuringia ceased prematurely; unit 670 002 continued running on Stendal-Tangermünde until March 2003, marking the longest period of successful deployment. The class was eventually replaced by older DMUs from the Class 771/772 series.
By 2001, most DB Class 670 units were returned to DWA—which had merged with Bombardier Transportation in 1998—for refurbishment and subsequent resale.
Three vehicles were acquired by Dessau-Wörlitzer Railway: unit 670 002 ("Alma") served as a source for spare parts, while units 005 and 006 remained operational. Later, unit 670 002 came under ownership of Anhaltische Bahn Gesellschaft and was auctioned off in February 2011.
These railbuses operated along the Dessau-Wörlitz route but experienced approximately nine months out of service due to maintenance requirements; buses temporarily replaced them during this period. Rail operations resumed on June 19, 2011 with refurbished unit 670 005 "Fürst Franz". This unit was withdrawn again in 2017 following hydraulic system failure and has since been cannibalized to support unit 670 006 "Fürstin Louise", which is scheduled for a general inspection in 2020 to be used for special excursions and as a reserve vehicle. Regular traffic duties are primarily handled by class 672 trains operated by the Burgenlandbahn.
Units numbered 670 001, 003, and 004 were utilized by Prignitzer Eisenbahn GmbH. Subsequently, units 003 and 004 were sold to Eisenbahngesellschaft Potsdam and have been active in the Prignitz region since 2009.
The prototype vehicle (670 000) was temporarily owned by Traditionsgemeinschaft Ferkeltaxi e.V. before being sold to a private collector. The same organization acquired unit 670 002 as a replacement and currently employs it for special train services.
Overview
| Car | UIC Number of the DMU | Current Owner | Designation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 670 000 | -- | Private individual in Oelsnitz | Demonstrator unit | Stationed at Oelsnitz Landesgartenschaugelände railway stop |
| 670 001 | -- | Prignitzer Eisenbahn GmbH | Stored in Neustrelitz until 2014 (Arriva workshops); dismantled in 2014 | |
| 670 002 | 95 80 0670 002-4 D-KSR | Traditionsgemeinschaft Ferkeltaxi e.V. (SEM Chemnitz) | Alma | Painted in grey livery |
| 670 003 | 95 80 0670 006-5 D-EGP | Hanseatische Eisenbahn GmbH | Identified as 670.3; located in Meyenburg as of November 2020 | |
| 670 004 | 95 80 0670 007-3 D-EGP | Hanseatische Eisenbahn GmbH | Designated as 670.4; stored in Putlitz (November 2020) | |
| 670 005 | 95 80 0670 004-0 D-DVE | Dessauer Verkehrs- und Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH | Fürst Franz (previously named Elfriede) | Marked as 670 004; kept as a source for spare parts, currently idle |
| 670 006 | 95 80 0670 003-2 D-DVE | Dessauer Verkehrs- und Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH | Fürstin Louise (formerly Alfred) | Registered as 670 003; currently out of service and stored |