Product Features and Details
Since 1976, the DR had operated the “City Express” trains that enabled a fast one-day connection between the district capitals and Berlin. Destinations deviating from the system were Meiningen as an alternate station for train parking and Zwickau as an important industrial centre. Of course both railway stations served the respective governmental centres Suhl, Erfurt, Halle and Karl-Marx-Stadt, although there were no other intermediate stops for these trains. The trains were formed from 1st and 2nd class coaches of the Y/B 70 type, 103 of which had been taken over “all of a sudden” by the DR from the Bautzen wagon building plant. Originally, they had been ordered by the National Czechoslovakian Railways (CSD) but could not been taken delivery of due to financing problems. As the trains and their operational concept soon enjoyed great popularity, the DR needed further coaches as a reinforcement and operating reserve in the early 80ies.
