The ET 65, which was known as the elT 12 until 1940, was a multiple unit for suburban traffic in Stuttgart. Although more modern railcars were developed shortly after it, it was able to remain in service with several conversions from 1933 to 1979. Due to the noise of the traction motors, it was known to the population as the “Red Howler”.

The trains originally consisted of a power car with two pantographs, two intermediate cars and a driving trailer. Two-axle Württemberg passenger cars, which had been equipped with electric heating, were used as intermediate cars. The vehicles had multiple controls and were therefore given gangways on the front sides. In contrast to later models, there was still an auxiliary engine room inside the cabin of the railcar, since the electrical system was still too bulky at that time. The car bodies were still riveted, only the last series received welded superstructures.

After the war, two power cars and several driving trailers hab been destroyed, but these were replaced by vehicles from other classes. At the beginning of the 1960s, a modernization took place, in which the front sides were replaced by a common front without a gangway. The speed was increased to 85 km/h with new traction motors. In the second class there were now also upholstered seats and the two old intermediate trailers were replaced by an old refurbished four-axle car, one of the so-called “Umbauwagen”. With the introduction of computer numbering, the railcars became the 465 class and the intermediate and driving trailers became the 865 class. After they had been replaced by the 420 class and were decommissioned in 1978, they were retired in 1979.