Dienstwagen D/s 6485 enters service

Regular readers will know that the General Manager believes a railway cannot have too many brake vans. Until very recently, the H&DLR didn't have much in the way of authentic ÖBB brake vans or service vehicles. However, with the entry into service of passenger brake vans D/s 6495 (ex Steyrtalbahn) and D/s 6461, the problem was alleviated. Nevertheless, there was a long standing desire to acquire a suitable vehicle for freight trains. ÖBB practice is to provide a passenger coach for the travelling shunters to use. On the Steyrtal, a coach was permanently converted for their use... D/s 6485...

The management obtained a second hand vehicle in Zillertal livery, similar to the one seen on the left of the photo. This was stripped down and repainted, a stove added to keep the staff warm, new decals (as ever from Michael Tröger)...

The service vehicle entered service yesterday. Seen here at Holzapfel in a scene just possibly reminiscent of the final days of the Sierning branch on the Steyrtalbahn...