n-Wagen

For the wine grape that is also known as Silberling, see Chasselas.

n-Wagen
Push-pull train of n-coaches at the anniversary parade in 1985 in Nuremberg
Constructed	Prototypes from 1958, 1959–1980
Specifications
Car length	26,400 mm (86 ft 7 1⁄4 in) over buffers
Width	2,825 mm (9 ft 3 1⁄4 in)
Height	4,050 mm (13 ft 3 1⁄2 in)
Wheel diameter	950 mm (3 ft 1 3⁄8 in)
Maximum speed	120 or 140 km/h (75 or 87 mph) (depending on design)
Weight	31–40 t (31–39 long tons; 34–44 short tons)
Bogies	2,500 mm (8 ft 2 3⁄8 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 gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)

n-car with 1st and 2nd class sections

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.

Origin of the name

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

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

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

• Rail transport in Germany
• History of rail transport in Germany