Description

For the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972, an improved local commuter rail system was put into place. These EMUs were developed for exactly that network, with the vehicles also seeing usage in Stuttgart and the Ruhr area. They came in a special livery for these commuter ("S-Bahn") services.

The type proved to be very reliable and formed the backbone of the network in Munich and elsewhere for decades, gaining him the nickname of "the holy EMU". In Munich, service mostly ended in 2004, although even 20 years later some units are still running as boosters on busy tracks during rush hour. In the Ruhr area services ceased by 2014, in Stuttgart in 2016.

This type opens up a completely new transportation service: S-Bahn. These are lines with many stops in short distances, requiring vehicles that can be loaded extremely fast to reduce stopping times. This type offers just that and can cope with huge numbers of passengers.

Images and Screenshots

Two sets of BR 420 EMUs passing each other in some urban area doing S-Bahn services, i.e. local trains with many stops in short distances.

In later years the livery changes to red with white doors.