Leig-Einheit / Leig Unit Train Set.
German Federal Railroad (DB) class 38.10-40 steam locomotive with a tender. Former Prussian P8. Boiler with 2 domes and Wagner smoke deflectors. Four-axle box-style tender. 2 type Gllmghs 37 Leig Unit pairs of cars. Version from around 1956.
Source: www.maerklin.de
The increase in freight traffic by road caused the German State Railroad Company to accelerate freight service and to make it more attractive. This was achieved by the introduction of lightweight freight trains for less-than-carload-lot service. Leig Units usually consisted of two 2-axle boxcars that were connected by a diaphragm. The advantage to this was the sorting of freight in route. The German Federal Railroad could not do without these fast freight trains and even purchased new double cars authorized for a maximum speed of 100 km/h / 63 mph. These well known freight trains with their striking lettering Stückgut-Schnellverkehr did not disappear until 1978. |