DRG Class ET 171

Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft Baureihe ET 171
ET 171 082 in Aumühle station
Power type	Electric
Builder	LHB, MAN, Wegmann, BBC,
Build date	1939-1943 1954-1955 1958
Total produced	72
UIC classification	Bo'Bo'+2'2'+Bo'Bo
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Length	61 m (200 ft 2 in)
Locomotive weight	130 t (130 long tons; 140 short tons)
Electric system	1,2 kV DC
Top speed	80 km/h (50 mph)
Power output	1,160 kW (1,560 hp)
Tractive effort	170 kN (38,000 lbf)
Train brakes	Air, electric
Safety systems	Sifa, PZB
Career	Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft Deutsche Bundesbahn Deutsche Bahn AG Hamburg S-Bahn
Class	471/871
Retired	1989-2001

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.

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.^[1]

Description

1939-1974

The first 47 trainsets were built from 1939 to 1943. There were to have been 67 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 A further 21 units were built from 1954 to 1955 in order to enable the overhead line traffic to be withdrawn. Additional 5 units (171 082-086) were built in 1958 to service the new line between Hamburg Central Station and Bergedorf.

1975-today

In the 70s and 80s, some trains received a new livery, alike the one 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 is still operational and is used as a heritage train. Also 471 039 and 471 062 are still existing but can not be moved by own power.

Equipment

All units had an dynamic brake to reduce the wear of the brake pads. All doors can be automatically closed from the driver's cab by the train 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 in the end cars and a 1st class in the centre car. The first class was removed from all Hamburg S-Bahn trains in November 2000. The lighting was done by light bulbs. All trains are equipped with Sifa all the time. In 1965, the trains were also equipped with PZB to make the train traffic more safely.

Gallery

• 

  Driver's cab of class 471.

• 

  First class in a centre car.

• 

  Two 471s in Hamburg Central Station, June 1974.

References

1. ^ de:DRG-Baureihe ET 171Translation from the German Wikipedia article

External links

• http://www.hish.de - German - Historische S-Bahn Hamburg e.V. - Historical Hamburg S-Bahn