Fleischmann - 7808 - Railcar, Electric, ET 91 - Deutsche Bahn - ET 91 01

Model Information: The Fleischmann electric railcar BR 491 was first released in 1985 with a blue and white paint scheme, then re-released in 1987 with a red and beige paint scheme. It was subsequently re-released in 1994 in 'Olympia' blue paint scheme, in 2009 in red and beige and in 2013 in 'Olympia' blue. In 2009, one of the new releases came with DCC installed.

Features:
- 2 powered axles, one traction tire.
- 3 front lights and 2 red tail lights, reversible with direction of travel.
- Interior light.
- Electric pick-up from wheels (track) or from pantograph (overhead catenary)

DCC Information: None of the various releases of this model are DCC ready. Some wiring and soldering will be required to install a decoder.

Prototype History: The Baureihe ET 91 was a series of electric multiple units built for the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft of Germany. The units colloquially known as Gläserne Zug (Glass Train) were equipped with large panorama windows, providing an excellent outside view to the passengers. The vehicles were used for recreational trips only, especially in southern Germany and Austria.

ET 91 02 was destroyed on March 9, 1943 in a bomb attack on the Munich shunting yard. ET 91 01 survived World War II without major damage and was taken over by the Deutsche Bundesbahn From 1968 on, it was listed as Baureihe 491 in the DB numbering scheme, being assigned the number 491 001-4.

On December 12, 1995 the remaining unit suffered extensive damage in a frontal crash at Garmisch-Partenkirchen and was subsequently taken out of service. The unit has been stationed at the Bahnpark Augsburg in Augsburg, Germany since May 2005.

From Wikipedia
Read more on the history of this train on Der Gläserne Zug (in German).

Road Name History: Deutsche Bahn AG (abbreviated as DB, DB AG or DBAG) is a German railway company. Headquartered in Berlin, it is a private joint-stock company (AG), with the Federal Republic of Germany being its single shareholder. Deutsche Bahn describes itself as the second-largest transport company in the world, after the German postal and logistics company Deutsche Post / DHL, and is the largest railway operator and infrastructure owner in Europe. It carries about two billion passengers each year.

Deutsche Bahn (literally "German Railway" in German) came into existence in 1994 as the successor to the former state railways of Germany, the Deutsche Bundesbahn ("German Federal Railway") of West Germany and the Deutsche Reichsbahn ("German Empire Railway") of East Germany. It also gained ownership of former railway assets in West Berlin held by the Verwaltung des ehemaligen Reichsbahnvermögens (Administration of the Former Reichsbahn Assets).

Brand/Importer Information: As a high-quality company we set the standard when it comes to prototype fidelity and functionality. Our aim is to enthrall novices and experts alike and to be the enduring long-term partner for a fascinating hobby that spans all generations. We achieve this with the true-to-detail design and the reliability of our models and with innovations that offer a new dimension in the play value and fun factor. The high commitment to quality that has characterised Fleischmann for more than 125 years has ensured our company?s position as an internationally leading brand for model railways.

Small-scale greatness. Its comprehensive range in the N scale makes Fleischmann the international market leader in this sector. There are over 350 highly detailed models to choose from in the space-saving 9-mm gauge. Continuous and targeted extension of the range will allow Fleischmann to expand its competitive edge in the future.