Class 650 | TrainsDepot.org

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Class 650

Also known as: BR 650

Vehicle type: Diesel railcar

Registration country: Germany

Railway companies: DB - Deutsche Bahn

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Era:

V - VI

Built by:

Gauge:

Standard gauge (1'435 mm)

Length over buffers (mm):

25'500 mm

Width (mm):

2'900 mm

Height (mm | over lowered pantograph):

4'100 mm

Maximum speed (km/h):

120 km/h

Total number of seats (1st class seats / 2nd class seats / 3rd class seats / folding seats):

68x 2nd class seats

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Vehicle's history

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1999

The DB Regio Class 650, better known as the Regio-Shuttle, is a lightweight diesel railcar with low-floor access designed for regional passenger service. Originally built by ADtranz until 2001, the Regio-Shuttle was conceived as a simple, robust, and highly versatile vehicle for branch-line operations and short regional routes. After Bombardier acquired ADtranz, competition regulations prevented the company from continuing production, and the manufacturing license was transferred to Stadler Rail, which further developed the vehicle into the Regio-Shuttle RS1.

Throughout its service life, several DB units experienced notable fire incidents caused by technical defects. On 31 March 2003, unit 650 201 partially burned at Stahringen on the Bodenseegürtelbahn and was later repaired by Stadler in Berlin-Pankow. A similar event occurred on 29 April 2004 at Salem, where unit 650 020 also suffered partial fire damage. The most severe incident took place on 24 June 2009 in Tübingen, where unit 650 324 was completely destroyed following a technical malfunction.

Technically, the Regio-Shuttle is built on a steel frame with fibreglass-reinforced plastic front ends, a combination that provides durability while keeping the vehicle lightweight. Its low-floor section improves accessibility, and air suspension ensures a smooth ride on regional lines. Multiple units can be coupled together, allowing up to three railcars to operate in formation, making the Class 650 a flexible solution for varying passenger demand.

Reliable, practical, and easy to maintain, the DB Regio Class 650 became a familiar presence across southern Germany, particularly in the Alb-Bodensee region. Its straightforward engineering and adaptable design made it one of the most successful modern single-unit diesel railcars in German regional service.

Sources: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baureihe_650

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