Last dance for Berlin GDR-S-Bahnen of the 485 series-Importance is imminent!

Last dance for Berlin GDR-S-Bahnen of the 485 series-Importance is imminent!

According to a report by www.rbb24.de, after almost 35 years in use, the S-Bahn trains of the 485 series are finally being retired in Berlin. Originally referred to as the "child of the East", they shaped the image of the S-Bahn network in the city for decades. The trains were developed at the end of the 1970s by VEB Lokomotivbau electrical engineering works "Hans Beirler" in Hennigsdorf and were actually supposed to be completely pulled out of circulation in 2005. Nevertheless, some copies were used again from 2010 to support the fleet.

The retirement of the 485 series is related to the introduction of the train influence system (ZBS), which will be required on all routes of the network from 2024 and enables better monitoring of the speed and, if necessary, a braking. The old trains are also no longer suitable for future use because of their weaknesses, such as the significantly weaker engines and the susceptibility to snow and water.

The Berlin S-Bahn has already put new trains from the 483/484 series into operation, which are equipped with air conditioning, modern ads and camera technology. The majority of the decayed trains are scrapped, but some copies are to be handed over to the German Technology Museum and the Historical S-Bahn association. In addition, train employees have the option of purchasing parts of the old trains.

The retirement of the 485 series is marked on Sunday, November 12, 2023, with a special farewell program, in which the trains run on various lines of the Berlin S-Bahn one last time before finally ending their days on the city's rails.