75 years ago in 1950 the first prototype Uerdingen railbus (Uerdinger Schienenbus) entered service. The production series type VT 95 units started to appear two years later, followed by the VT 98s. Over 1000 examples of these vehicles were in operation by 1962.
The Uerdingen railbuses were often described as the “Retter der Nebenbahnen” (saviour of branch lines). By the 1990s the two classes were in decline but continued to operate a special tourist service known as the “Ulmer Spatz” on the Chiemgaubahn until 2016.
This DVD contains footage of these vehicles in operation from their early days to the present day, on routes such as the Ammertalbahn, the Chiemgaubahn, the Dessau-Wörlitzer Eisenbahn, the Prignitzer Eisenbahn and the Eifelquerbahn. Interior and driver’s eye views are included along with close-up views of the driver’s controls. There are also examples of Uerdinger railbuses exported to Austria or rebuilt for departmental service such as overhead wire maintenance vehicles.
German commentary. 58 minutes running time.