The VAG Class DT1 (colloquially called "Pegnitzpfeil") is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the

Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft Nürnberg The ''Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft Nürnberg'' (VAG; Nuremberg Transport Company) is the municipal company responsible for operating the U-Bahn, trams, and buses throughout the city of Nuremberg, in the state of Bavaria, Germany. VAG is a wholly ow ...

on the

Nuremberg U-Bahn The Nuremberg U-Bahn is a rapid transit system run by '' Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft Nürnberg'' (VAG; Nuremberg Transport Corporation), which itself is a member of the ''Verkehrsverbund Großraum Nürnberg'' (VGN; Greater Nuremberg Transport Net ...

system since its opening in 1972. It is a derivative of the

MVG Class A The MVG Class A is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft on the Munich U-Bahn system. It is the first and oldest type of rolling stock in service on the Munich U-Bahn, and is used on all lines. ...

, in service on the

Munich U-Bahn The Munich U-Bahn (german: U-Bahn München) is an electric rail rapid transit network in Munich, Germany. The system began operation in 1971, and is operated by the municipally owned Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG; Munich Transport Company) ...

since 1971.

Formation

Every DT1 train consists of two permanently-coupled cars, forming a twin-unit. The trains are equipped with automatic couplers, enabling operation of up to two units together to form a four-car train.

Interior

Seating accommodation consists of transverse seating bays. Passengers can look into the adjacent car through two windows in the inner car end. U-Bahn Nürnberg DT 453-454 Fürth-Hardhöhe Innen.jpg, Interior view

Technical specifications

The design is derived from the

. Differences include a magnetic

track brake A magnetic track brake (Mg brake) is a brake for rail vehicles. It consists of brake magnets, pole shoes, a suspension, a power transmission and, in the case of mainline railroads, a track rod. When current flows through the magnet coil, the ma ...

system, that is missing from Munich's Class A trains. The car bodies are made out of

aluminium Aluminium (aluminum in American and Canadian English) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. I ...

, and the trains are powered by

direct current Direct current (DC) is one-directional flow of electric charge. An electrochemical cell is a prime example of DC power. Direct current may flow through a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through semiconductors, insulators, or eve ...

motors. Beginning with units 465/466, built from 1980 until the end of production in 1984, the trains were delivered with three-phase motors. Besides the power supply by

contact shoe Electric current collectors are used by trolleybuses, trams, electric locomotives or EMUs to carry electrical power from overhead lines, electrical third rails, or ground-level power supplies to the electrical equipment of the vehicles. Those for ...

s, every unit is also equipped with a

pantograph A pantograph (, from their original use for copying writing) is a mechanical linkage connected in a manner based on parallelograms so that the movement of one pen, in tracing an image, produces identical movements in a second pen. If a line dr ...

, as parts of the maintenance facilities are electrified with overhead lines.

History

The trains were built from 1970 until 1984, and entered passenger service on March 1, 1972, together with the official opening of the Nuremberg U-Bahn system. DT1 units were lent to Munich on two occasions, were they operated on the

system. They were in service in Munich in 1972, which had a shortage of rolling stock during the

1972 Summer Olympics The 1972 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad () and commonly known as Munich 1972 (german: München 1972), was an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from 26 August to 11 September 1972. ...

and in 1980, during the visit of

Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II ( la, Ioannes Paulus II; it, Giovanni Paolo II; pl, Jan Paweł II; born Karol Józef Wojtyła ; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his ...

. Following their service in Munich, units 401/402, 403/404, 409/410, 423/424, 425/426 and 427/428 carried commemorative stickers with the Munich Coat of Arms next to the doors of the driving cabs. Twelve sets were scrapped in 2010. The DT1 trains are scheduled to be replaced by new VAG Class G1 trains, which are planned to enter service in mid-2019. One DT1 train will be preserved.

References

External links

VAG fleet information
{{Nuremberg U-Bahn Nuremberg U-Bahn Electric multiple units of Germany 750 V DC multiple units