The n-Wagen ("n-coaches") are a type of passenger coach used by Deutsche Bundesbahn and subsequently Deutsche Bahn. With two double-leafed doors per side to enable a high passenger throughput rate, the coaches were conceived for short dwell times in commuter and regional transit. Succeeding the yl-coaches, 5,000 units were built from 1958 to 1981, with some remaining in service still today.

n-Wagen
Push-pull train of n-coaches at the anniversary parade in 1985 in Nuremberg
ConstructedPrototypes from 1958,
1959–1980
Specifications
Car length26,400 mm (86 ft 7+14 in) over buffers
Width2,825 mm (9 ft 3+14 in)
Height4,050 mm (13 ft 3+12 in)
Wheel diameter950 mm (3 ft 1+38 in)
Maximum speed120 or 140 km/h (75 or 87 mph) (depending on design)
Weight31–40 t (31–39 long tons; 34–44 short tons)
Bogies
  • 2,500 mm (8 ft 2+38 in) wheelbase,
  • 19 m (62 ft 4 in) bogie centres
Braking system(s)shoe brakes; later also disc brakes
Seating
  • ABn: 2×24 second 30 first
  • Bn: 96 second
  • BDn: 72 second
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
n-car with 1st and 2nd class sections

Origin of the name

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The UIC classification identifier letter "n" is an abbreviation for Nahverkehr ("local transit"); the complete description is local transit passenger coach (Nahverkehrswagen) with a length of over 24.5 metres, open coach with centre aisle in 2nd class, centre aisle or side corridor in 1st class, two centre doors, with 36-pole control cable for push-pull operations.

The term Silberling (from German Silber, "silver") derives from the coaches' stainless steel body, which was originally unpainted, giving them a unique silver look.

Technical data

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Total length: 26,400 mm
Distance between bogie pivots: 21,500 mm
Empty weight: 42-47 t
Maximum speed: 120 or 140 km/h (varies by type)
Number of seats: 96 seats in second class in Bn coaches
2×24 seats in second and 30 in first class in ABn coaches.

Type overview

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Type Year built Number Notes
ABn 703 1959 – 66 798 5 cars with central control (ABnz 703), 20 cars with multi-voltage heating
ABnr 704 1965 – 67 34
ABnrz 704 1968 – 77 380
ABnrz 708 1977 1 Karlsruher Versuchszug (Karlsruhe experimental train)
Bn 719 1969 – 76 1070
Bn 720 1959 – 63 1019
Bnz 723 1965/66 30 Multi-voltage heating
Bnrz 723 1966 40
Bnrz 724 1969/70 180 Field hospital car, steep roof
Bnrz 724.1 1989/90 18 remodeled from Bnrz 725
Bnr 725 1966 – 68 190
Bnrz 725 1967 – 77 449
Bnrz 728 1977 – 80 100 Steep roof
Bnrz 729 1977 2 Karlsruher Versuchszug (Karlsruhe experimental train)
Bnrz 734 1977 1 Karlsruher Versuchszug (Karlsruhe experimental train)
BDnf 735 1978 – 81 71 Rebuilt from BDnf 738, cab car w/o door
BDnf 738 1959 – 64 229 Cab car with front passenger door, 20 cars with multi-voltage heating
BDnrzf 739 1969 40 Cab car with front passenger door, cab removed later on
BDnrzf 740 1971 – 77 310 Cab car, model Karlsruhe
BDn 742 1961 – 64 29 no cab, rebuilt from BDnf 738, 20 cars with multi-voltage heating
  • Indicator z: Central control (Zugsammelschiene)
  • Indicator r: disc brakes

See also

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