Deutsche Werke Kiel model IV a

After World War I, the DWK shipbuilding company offered a range of petrol railcars since they were now mandated to build civil equipment only. There were five main types designated I to V, of which the IV shown here was the short, four-axle variant. In this case, a frame carrying the engine was mounted between the bogies and the body could be removed for maintenance.

The railcars were offered for track gauges between 750 and 1,435 mm. Most customers were private railways which wanted a cost-effective alternative to steam traction on secondary lines. Although only operated by a single driver, it turned out that the operating costs were higher than those on steam-hauled trains on short lines and they only had any cost advantage on longer runs. Additionally, the installed power of only 80 hp was too low for many operators.

In the thirties, many of these were rebuilt with diesel engines and Mylius gearboxes. After World War II, the vehicles which were operated in Eastern Germany were taken over by the Reichsbahn and designated VT 137⁵. The Reichsbahn used the last ones until 1968. Others, which were still used by private operators in Western Germany, were only withdrawn in the seventies. One of these is the only one still existing that had been operated by the Butjading Railway.