DB VT24 3 Car DMU III

DB VT24 3 Car DMU III

1:160 scale model produced by Piko. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection.

Features:

• Analogue DC Model
• Best suited to Epoch III Model Railways
• This model mainly operates in Germany
• This model is decorated in DB company markings
• This model is best suited to 228mm radius curves

Details

The DB Class VT 24 was a post-war German diesel multiple unit (DMU) introduced by Deutsche Bundesbahn in the 1950s to modernise regional and local passenger services on non-electrified lines. Built as part of the wider VT series of railcars, the VT 24 combined lightweight construction, comfortable seating and efficient diesel propulsion to replace steam-hauled services on secondary and branch routes.

Typically configured in two-car sets, the VT 24 featured robust underfloor diesel engines driving mechanical transmissions, offering reliable performance and good acceleration for frequent stops. Its body design was streamlined for the era, with large windows and a passenger-friendly interior focused on short-to-medium-distance travel. Units were often paired with trailer cars to suit varying passenger demand, making the class flexible for both rural and suburban duties.

The VT 24 served widely across the DB network, operating on branch lines and regional routes that were critical to local mobility but not yet electrified. Its introduction helped reduce operating costs, improve timetable adherence and offer passengers a more modern travel experience compared with steam traction.

As new generations of railcars and multiple units appeared, the VT 24 was gradually retired from mainline passenger service by the 1970s and 1980s, with many examples preserved by heritage organisations and railway museums.