The DB in the Eighties: The Allgäu-Zollern Railway

The 1970s and 1980s were a vibrant era for the Deutsche Bundesbahn and, of course, also for the Minitrix model railway. At that time, new colors and unusual designs were intended to bring a fresh breeze to the tracks – not just in long-distance transport. In the south, the "Allgäu-Zollern-Bahn" made railway and transport history, which can now be revived with new Minitrix models on the home layout or in the display case.

Around 1976, the DB wanted to shut down the Württemberg Allgäubahn Aulendorf – Kisslegg, and the Zollernbahn Tübingen – Sigmaringen (– Aulendorf) was also under review. The two regions quickly recognized the value of their railway and devised a concept in cooperation with the DB to make the routes more attractive. Due to a lack of new vehicles, they equipped tried-and-true but already relatively old conversion passenger cars (type yg) with green stripes, a large inscription "Allgäu-Zollern-Bahn," and coats of arms from the municipalities and cities along the two routes. These trains were mostly pulled by diesel locomotives of the series. Although there was no significant increase in comfort, the connection came back into the public consciousness, and the shutdown was averted.

Prototype: Line diesel locomotive 215 064-7 of the Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB) in a condition around 1985. Diesel-hydraulic locomotive with steam heating generator. Model: Built-in digital decoder and sound generator for operation with mfx and DCC. Motor with flywheel, 4 axles driven, traction tires. Headlights and tail lights change with the direction of travel, warm white LEDs, cab lighting, digitally switchable. Kinematics for short coupling. Direction-dependent alternating front signal in analog operation. Attached handrails. Length over buffers 102 mm.