View source for DB Class VT 10.5

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{no footnotes|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox train
| background         = #a00;color:white
| name               = DB Class VT 10<sup>5</sup>
| image              = VT 10 551 Dietikon.png
| imagealt           = 
| imagesize          = 
| caption            = VT10 551
| interiorimage      = 
| interiorimagealt   = 
| interiorcaption    = 
| service            = 1953–1959/1960
| manufacturer       = {{ubl|''501:'' [[Linke-Hofmann-Busch|LHB]]|''551:'' [[Wegmann & Co.|Wegmann]]}}
| designer           =
| assembly           =
| ordernumber        = 
| factory            = 
| family             = 
| replaced           = 
| yearconstruction   = 1953
| yearservice        = 
| refurbishment      = 
| yearscrapped       = 
| numberconstruction = 
| numberbuilt        = 2
| numberservice      = 
| numberpreserved    = 
| numberscrapped     = 
| predecessor        =
| successor          =
| formation          = 
| diagram            = 
| code               = 
| fleetnumbers       = VT&nbsp;10&nbsp;501, VT&nbsp;10&nbsp;551
| capacity           = 
| operator           = 
| depots             = 
| lines              = 

| carbody            = 
| trainlength        = {{ubl|''501:'' {{0}}{{convert|96700|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}|''551:'' {{convert|108900|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}}}
| carlength          = 
| width              = {{convert|3024|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}
| height             = {{convert|3525|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}
| lowfloor           =
| floorheight        = 
| platformheight     = 
| entrylevelorstep   = 
| doors              = 
| art-sections       = 
| wheeldiameter      = 
| wheelbase          = 
| maxspeed           = {{ubl|''Originally:'' {{convert|120|km/h|abbr=on}}|''Later:'' {{convert|160|km/h|abbr=on}}}}
| weight             = {{ubl|''501:'' {{convert|104.0|t|abbr=on}}|''551:'' {{convert|122.0|t|abbr=on}}}}
| axleload           = {{convert|13.0|t|abbr=on}}
| steep gradient     =
| traction           = 
| engine             = [[MAN SE|MAN]] D&nbsp;1548&nbsp;G
| enginetype         = [[diesel engine]]
| cylindercount      = 
| cylindersize       = 
| traction motors    =  
| poweroutput        = {{ubl|''Originally:'' 4&nbsp;×&nbsp;{{convert|120|kW|abbr=on}}|''Later:'' 4&nbsp;×&nbsp;{{convert|150|kW|abbr=on}}}}
| tractiveeffort     = 
| transmission       = [[Torque converter]] and [[gearbox]]
| acceleration       = 
| deceleration       = 
| aux                = 
| powersupply        = 
| hvac               = 
| electricsystem     = 
| collectionmethod   = 
| uicclass           = {{ubl|''501:'' B′1′1′1′1′1′1′B′|''551:'' B′2′2′2′2′2′2′2′B′}}
| aarwheels          = 
| wheels driven      = 
| bogies             = 
| minimum curve      =
| brakes             = 
| safety             = 
| coupling           = 
| multipleworking    = 
| light              =
| gauge              = {{Track gauge|sg}}
| notes              =
| box_width          =
| label_width        =
| seating            =
| stocktype          =
}}
The '''VT 10.5''' was a [[diesel multiple unit]] that was developed by the [[Deutsche Bundesbahn]] in the early 1950s. It was first displayed in public at the [[1953 International Transport Exhibition|International Transport Exhibition]] in [[Munich]] in 1953.

== Design and operation ==
Two train sets were built with significant differences in construction. The day train, "Senator" (VT 10 501), consisted of seven cars, including the front and rear engine unit. The cars were connected by single [[Jacobs axles]]. Only the first bogies of the power units were twin-axle bogies, both axles being powered. The "Senator" was on duty between [[Hamburg]] and [[Frankfurt]]/Main from May 1954 until November 1957.

The night train, "[[Komet (train)|Komet]]" (VT 10 551), was different from the "Senator" though its shape looked similar at first sight. Its livery was notably different. Instead of single Jacobs axles connecting the cars, twin-axle [[Jacobs bogie]]s were used. The "Komet" was delivered with 7 (2+5) cars from the outset and soon afterwards equipped with an additional dining car. All available online pictures show the Komet with 8 cars (2+6). In 1956, an additional car (conference car 551i) was built for the first foreign journey by a German President after the Second World War. Due to the train's limited power, another car had to be taken out of the train in order to accommodate car 551i. The conference car is the only surviving unit. "Komet" had better driving characteristics than "Senator", which was described as behaving a bit like a goods wagon.

"Komet" was in service between [[Zürich]] and [[Hamburg]] from May 1954 until December 1960 and was operated by the DSG (Deutsche Schlafwagen Gesellschaft/German sleeping car company).

== Technical data ==
The VT&nbsp;10&nbsp;501 was built by [[Linke-Hofmann-Busch]] in 1953 for the Deutsche Bundesbahn. It was designed as a seven-unit train. Every pair of intermediate cars had a common [[Jacobs bogie|Jacobs axle]]; only the power cars had twin-axled, powered bogies.

The VT&nbsp;10&nbsp;551 built in 1953 for the [[Deutsche Schlafwagen- und Speisewagengesellschaft]] by [[Wegmann & Co.|Wegmann]] in Kassel and taken over on 1&nbsp;January 1955 by the Deutsche Bundesbahn. The trailer cars were linked by twin-axled [[Jacobs bogie]]s; the power cars had twin-axled, powered bogies.

Each power car was equipped with two [[MAN SE|MAN]] [[diesel engine]]s of Type D&nbsp;1548&nbsp;G, each developing {{convert|118|kW|abbr=on}}. Later, the power was increased to {{convert|154|kW|abbr=on}} per engine. The original version had a top speed of {{convert|120|km/h|abbr=on}}; the later version could attain {{convert|160|km/h|abbr=on}} this speed was never used in the time table. To supply [[Head end power|power]] to the train, two additional diesel engines were installed, each capable of {{convert|92|kW|abbr=on}}. Power transmission was [[Torque converter|hydraulic]] with a mechanical four-way [[gearbox]].

==Gallery==
<gallery caption="Details of the VT 10 551i">
File:VT10551i 1.jpg
File:VT10551i 2.jpg
File:VT10551i 3.jpg
File:VT10551i 4.jpg
</gallery>

== External links ==
* [http://www.dbtrains.com/en/trainsets/epochIII/VT10.5 Site about the VT 10.5 "Komet" (night train)]

{{German DMUs}}

[[Category:Diesel multiple units of Germany]]
[[Category:Articulated passenger trains]]
[[Category:Train-related introductions in 1953]]