Subscribe to download
AKN VTA

History
In the late 1970s, the AKN purchased a number of LHB VTE DMUs to replace their aging fleet of railbuses. In the early 1990s, following a merger with the Alsternordbahn and the remnants of the EBO, the AKN once again required new DMUs to replace the inherited railbuses. The company again chose LHB (Linke-Hofmann-Busch), which had since developed multiple further iterations of the VTEs sold to other companies. The AKN purchased 18 VTA DMUs, which were another iterative development of the VT2E.

These new units were considerably different from the original VTE series and were, in fact, only distantly related to them. Some major differences included a redesigned, longer chassis; only one diesel engine instead of two; and a significantly different diesel-electric propulsion system (three-phase motors instead of conventional AC motors). The new trains also had a higher top speed of 105 km/h.

These units formed the backbone of the AKN fleet until around 2015, when new LINT 54 units were introduced. Since then, the VTAs have seen reduced usage, but they are still necessary until the electrification of parts of the AKN network and the subsequent conversion to S-Bahn service is completed. Currently, the VTAs mainly serve the sections of the A1 line not actively under construction.

• Weight: 14,380 SW mass
  
• Top Speed: 105 km/h (allowed), ~170 km/h (possible)
  
• Fuel Capacity: 6,500
  
• Length: 34.25 m

Startup Procedure:

1. Go to the driving cab that contains the breakers at the back and enable the battery breaker.
   
2. Press the Slave All button in one of the cabs.
   
3. Enable the Main Breaker on the control panel.
   
4. Turn on the motors by enabling their respective switches. (Motor 2 will enable all motors on connected units for MU operation.)
   
5. Enable the compressor.
   
6. (Optional) Perform a brake check:
   - Release the brake and verify that HLL pressure reaches ~5 on all units.
   - Then apply the brake fully to the emergency position (move the lever fully back and hold for about one second to engage the emergency detent).
   - Confirm that pressure drops to ~1 on all units.
   
7. Enable the driving lights.
   
8. (Optional) Enable internal lights and heating.

Driving:

• Apply or reduce power using W and S.
  
• Holding S briefly when at 0 power engages the dynamic brake range.
  
• Dynamic brake cannot usually bring the train to a complete stop—use conventional braking to finish.
  
• Control the air brake with A and D.
  
• Holding D after fully applying the normal brake range engages the emergency brake.
  
• For night operations or tunnels, use the Fernlicht (high beam).
  
• To open the passenger doors, select the side and press the Force Open Doors button to override.
  
• Doors can only be opened below 0.5 km/h.

Other:

• To open the doors from the outside when the unit is not operational, use the keys located on each side. These allow you to open the end doors on the respective side.
  
• To use the Third Rail (a simulated infinite electric generator), enable the Third Rail Current Collector and wait until the Third Rail Power light activates (may take over 30 seconds).
  
• Once the light is on, you can switch to Third Rail power. (Diesel engines can be turned off while using it.)

Because this train uses a custom implementation of my train standards—specifically the Scharfenberg coupler—it is not normally compatible with my other rolling stock.

To tow one of these trains with my other vehicles, I am providing this adapter, which allows towing and air brake connection.

Note: This adapter does not connect the control lines. The unit will behave like a "dead" coach.

• 1: My trains use a proprietary multiple control and air brake system (and this train uses a custom implementation of that). Do not expect compatibility with vehicles not made by me.
  If you want to implement it, message me on Discord @tntorge for documentation and help—but don't expect it to be easy.
  
• 2: These trains were designed primarily for looks and realism. Performance was only a secondary consideration—though this one runs surprisingly well.
  
• 3: While I support and even encourage reverse engineering and learning from others, DO NOT REUPLOAD without either heavy modifications or my permission.
  (This does not apply to subsystems or reverse engineering. Credit is not required but appreciated.)

Enjoy!
For all questions, either post in the comments or message me on Discord @tntorge.