Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

DRG Class ET 171

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Power type
  
Electric

Total produced
  
72

Builder
  
LHB, MAN, Wegmann, BBC

UIC class
  
Bo'Bo'+2'2'+Bo'Bo

DRG Class ET 171

Build date
  
1939-1943 1954-1955 1958

Gauge
  
1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ⁄2 in) standard gauge

The DRG Class ET 171 (since 1968 DB Class 471/871) is a three-car electric multiple unit train built for the Hamburg S-Bahn.

Contents

History

The first electric Hamburg S-Bahn trains appeared on the Hamburg-Altona City and Suburban Railway in 1907. In 1937, the main-line railway operator, Deutsche Reichsbahn, decided to switch the current collection method from overhead catenary (AC 6,3 kV/25 Hz) to third rail (DC 1,2 kV). The new Class ET 171 trains were built to replace the old overhead line trains. The first unit appeared in Hamburg in December 1939.

1939-1974

The first 47 trainsets were built from 1939 to 1943. There were to have been 100 units in total, but the World War II interrupted production and it was not resumed until 1954. A further 21 units were built from 1954 to 1955 in order to enable the overhead line traffic to be withdrawn. An additional 5 units (171 082-086) were built in 1958 to work the new line between Hamburg Central Station and Bergedorf.

1975-today

In the 70s and 80s, some trains received a new livery, like that of the new Class 472 trains. Retirement began in the late 80s for single trains. In late 90s most trains were taken out of service and replaced by the Class 474. The last 471s were retired from regular service in October 2001. Unit 471 082 from 1958 was operational and used as a heritage train until March 2015. Numbers 471 039 and 471 062 have also survived but cannot be moved under their own power.

Equipment

All units had a dynamic brake to reduce brake pad wear. All doors can be automatically closed from the driver's cab by the driver but can be opened again after a short time. This was possible until the 1970s due to safety reasons. All trains had a 2nd class end cars and a 1st class centre car. The first class service was removed from all Hamburg S-Bahn trains in November 2000. Lighting was provided by light bulbs. All trains are permanently equipped with Sifa. In 1965, the trains were also equipped with PZB to improve safety.

References

DRG Class ET 171 Wikipedia