DB Class ETA 150

DB Class ETA/ESA 150
DB Class 515/815
DB Class ETA/ESA 150; DB Class 515/815
	Three 515/815 railbuses at Betriebswerk Hildesheim
In service	1955–1995
Manufacturer	SSW; Rathgeber (7); O&K (150); WMD (56); MAN (19); Wegmann & Co.;
Constructed	1954-1965
Number built	232 power cars; 216 driving trailers;
Fleet numbers	ETA 515 001–033; ETA 515 101–138; ETA 515 501–661; ESA 150 001–216;
Specifications
Car length	ETA: 26.8 m (87 ft 11+1⁄8 in); ESA: 26.8 m (87 ft 11+1⁄8 in);
Width	2,920 mm (9 ft 7 in)
Height	3,513 or 3,534 mm (11 ft 6+5⁄16 in or 11 ft 7+1⁄8 in)
Wheel diameter	0.950 m (37+3⁄8 in)
Maximum speed	100 km/h (62 mph)
Weight	ETA (empty): 49.0–56.0 t (48.2–55.1 long tons; 54.0–61.7 short tons)
Power output	2× 150 kW (200 hp) = 300 kW (400 hp)
Power supply	Batteries: 352–548 kWh (1,270–1,970 MJ)
UIC classification	Bo'2'(ETA) and 2'2'(ESA)
Braking system(s)	Knorr
Seating	ETA:59–86; ESA: 81–100;
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The accumulator cars of Class ETA 150 (Class 515 from 1968) were German railbuses used extensively by Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB) for 40 years. They ran on both main and branch lines. By comparison with the Uerdingen railbus, the railcars were quieter (despite the typical whine of their DC motors), rode more smoothly on the rails owing to the weight of the batteries, and were pollution-free (no smoke or fumes).

They were very popular with passengers, who nicknamed them Akkublitz (Battery Lightning), Säurebomber (Acid Bombers), Steckdosen-InterCity (Socket InterCitys), Taschenlampen-Express (Pocket Torch Express), or Biene Maja (Maya the Bee – because of the sound they made when under way).

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