The SVT 137 series comprised four subtypes of diesel multiple units that were procured by the Reichsbahn between 1935 and 1938 to offer exclusive long-distance express trains for relatively small numbers of passengers. Consisting of two to four sections, they reached a maximum speed of 160 km/h and were touted as the fastest trains in the world at the time.

The first “Hamburg type” to be purchased consisted of two cars that shared a powered Jakobs bogie in the middle. The 13 examples built were each powered by two Maybach engines, each with 400 hp and electric power transmission. The “Leipzig type” also had an intermediate car with two Jakobs bogies at each end, each powered by a 600 hp Maybach engine. This was built four times and offered a third class in addition to the second class. The 14 examples of the “Cologne type” also consisted of three parts, but each car had its own bogies. The power plant was now located in the inner bogie of the end cars and the interior was divided into compartments with a side aisle. The two most recently purchased multiple units of the “Berlin type” had a similar structure, but these had been made into four parts with a second trailer and were each driven by two MAN engines, each with 740 hp. 

On August 22, 1939, the Reichsbahn discontinued long-distance traffic in view of the war preparations and the express railcars were therefore only used occasionally by the Wehrmacht for various purposes. After the war, some of them got to the occupying powers, but the railway administrations of both German states later re-established fast long-distance connections with the remaining or returned trains. They were used as Rheinblitz and Vindobona, among others, although the DR did not decommission the latter until 1983.