Class 628 has a long history, starting with the prototype series class 628.0 of 1974 and 628.1 of 1981 (which are now out of service, with some second hand units surviving in Poland). With low political support for secondary railway lines the order for a series production was delayed, and the first series units of class 628.2 came in 1986, twelve years after the first prototypes!
In 1992 the series 628.4 followed, slightly extended in length, with a double leaf door in the middle and a more powerful engine. It was intended to be an improvement over railbuses and more economic to operate than trains with locomotives. However it's obvious that they were a low cost solution: Only one of four bogies is powered, which means their acceleration isn't the best. They aren't equipped for passengers in wheelchairs and don't have air conditioning, so it could be said that their best time is over after twenty years of service.
Line RE 12 "Eifel-Mosel-Express" Köln - Euskirchen - Gerolstein - Trier is still operated with class 628.4 but they will soon be replaced by new LINT 54/81 units from Alstom (airconditioned with lowfloor sections).
Köln Messe Deutz, 2013-08-01.<p>
<a href="mailto:tbk.uncia@gmail.com">tobias b k&ouml;hler</a>