N-Wagen

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.

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

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 meteres, 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