Hiya, very random. I noticed the German double decker railcars always have a loco attached to it instead of an EMU that looks the same as the railcar, was one planned that didn't make it to production or what? i find it weird that it doesn't match at all
It’s a cab control car, these are unpowered control units which are quite common globally, they’re used in combination with locomotive hauled consists which would otherwise require another locomotive on the rear end, thus using more rolling stock than necessary. What you’re looking for is the BR 445 Twindex, similar in design, but it’s own EMU consist.
The control car allows the train to basically go both directions without having to do much. You basically walk over and change ends or the other drivers enters through either end depending on where they are going. This is easier than turning the entire train around which wastes time and adding a locomotive at other end, requiring more resources
Oh yeah, they’re used quite extensively over the world, i was wondering if they had a loco equivalent. Kinda like the Class 81 and the Mark 4 DVT
Problem with control cars from the train sim POV is they are boring to drive from with no traction noise to enjoy.
Sometime cab car can be styled to look like the loco that will most likely hauld them, for example these Being based on this Or, more famously the Railjet cab car is based on the Taurus Or, as you pointed out the Class 91 and MkIV DVT, but there is definitely no rule that states the cab car styling has to be based on any particular locomotive. In the case of the 4th gen DoStos, I don't think they have any loco that looks like them.
I know here in the states, Siemens new Venture Cars are supposed to have cab cars based on their Charger Locomotives, but I don't think any of the Cab cars have been built or delivered yet.
Don't forget 47/7's used to push-pull the Glasgow Edinburgh route And in more recent times DRS have operated push pull on the Sellafield-Carlisle service on the Cumbria Coast using ex ScotRail 37/4's
