
Type 248.5 couchette coaches are a key component of overnight trains, with available seating during the day that is comparable to that of compartment coaches. At night, the bench seats are used as couchette beds, and other couchette beds are folded down so that each passenger can be provided with a place to lie down. Thanks to this high efficiency, couchette beds can be offered at prices that are more economical when compared to conventional sleeping coaches in overnight trains.
The Bvcmz 248.5 couchette coach made up a significant portion of the DB Autozug couchette coach fleet. Where currently available, couchette coaches of this type can be operated in the voltage systems of 1000 V ~ 16.7 Hz, 1500 V ~ 50 Hz, 1500 V - and 3000 V - and are thus able to be deployed in many countries in Europe. They are equipped with a closed WC system. The coaches are authorised as RIC coaches and therefore are accepted for operation in many countries and frequently have the advantage of simplified acceptance of their authorisation.
Bvcmz 248 coaches are compartment coaches equipped with air conditioning. Type 248.5 coaches have 10 compartments, with 6 seats / couchette beds per compartment. Moreover, there are two WC rooms, three washing rooms, a common room for the crew and places for storing consumable supplies together in one vehicle, which, among other things, is intended for stowing food and beverages and providing space to prepare them.
The Bvcmz 248 coaches ride on Minden-Deutz 36.7 bogies. Unlike the subtypes of this class of couchette coaches, the bogies of the Bvcmz 248.5 are equipped with electromagnetic rail brakes, and thus the authorisation allows for speeds of up to 200 km/h.
(for Information only)
maximum speed | 200 km/h |
unladen weight | 47 t |
energy (od. power) supply system | 1000 V AC 16.7 Hz, 1500 V AC 50 Hz, 1500 V DC, 3000 V DC |
approval | RIC |
entrance from platforms | 350 mm ... 760 mm |
number of doors | 2 per side |
type of doors | hinged-folding door |
number of 2nd class seats | 60 seats in 10 compartments the day |
number of couchette beds | 60 couchette beds in 10 compartments at night |
air-conditioning | Klimae; Cooling output, electric 25kVA |
heating | 36 kVA |
illumination | fluorescent tubes |
toilets | 2 |
washrooms | 3 |
service compartment | with a couchette bed and a place to prepare coffee and tea |
toilet system | vacuum system (Semvak-Mini) |
windows | fixed windows, some of them sliding windows |
operation with a diesel locomotive | possible |
bogie / truck | MD36.7 |
bogie wheel base | 2,500 mm |
wheel diameter, new | 950 mm |
wheel diameter, worn | 900 mm |
length over buffers | 26,400 mm |
lenght of car body | 26,100 mm |
distance between bogie pivots | 19,000 mm |
width of car body | 2,825 mm |
height above top of rail | 4,050 mm |
smallest curve radius | to RIC 120 m uncoupled 80 m |
buffers, draw hook, screw coupling | UIC |
type of brake | KE-GPR-Mg (D) NBÜ and [ep] |
braked weight / mass | +Mg 109 t, 77 t, R 74 t, P 57 t, G 44 t |
number of brake-cylinders per bogie | 2 |
energy supply | train busbar, static battery charter and power inverter |
starter battery | 24 V, 385 Ah |