The VT 44 was a diesel railcar built from 1938 by Simmering as a successor of the VT 42. In contrast to the electric power transmission of the VT 42, the VT 44 had a hydraulic transmission from Voith. The engine now had twelve instead of eight cylinders and was turbocharged, what increased its power from 210 to 425 hp. This allowed to omit the second engine, now the single engine powered both axles of one bogie. Provision was made to run with two power cars or with a driving trailer.

The BBÖ ordered 26, which were delivered in 1938 and immediately taken over by the Reichsbahn. The Reichsbahn ordered ten more, which were delivered in 1940. All received a modified interior for military service. Only nine survived the war, which became ÖBB class 5044 in 1953. In 1951, five driving trailers which had been built for the 5044 were also rebuilt into power cars and designated class 5144, since they were two meters longer and differed in some respects. After the introduction of the class 5045, they were used on secondary lines. The 5044 was withdrawn in 1988 and the 5144 followed in 1993.