Until the end of the 1950-ies the DB employed 1960auxiliary emergency vehicles containing tools and materials, which were engaged in case of accidents such as derailments. These vehicles were reconstructed old coaches. For standardisation purposes the DB then developed jointly with the BZA (Bundesbahnzentralamt), the central design and approval authority of the DB in Minden, a standard support vehicle for emergency services. It was based on the express freight car MDyg and the upper bodies of two auxiliary passenger coaches MCi 43, which were mounted onto two two axle bogies of American design. A total of 100 coaches have been constructed between 1962 and 1966. As from 1969 the lattice side walls were replaced by high density fibre boards. Since era IV the coaches are listed as EHG 388. Except for the livery most of the coaches remained unchanged.

Who would not like to know how fast his or her locomotives are running or what distances are covered by trains on the layout. Now you can find out with the aid of the new H0 model of the EHG 388. This coach contains a multi protocol decoder (DCC with RailCom / Motorola®) that records the following data with the aid of a hall sensor based odometer mounted on one bogie:

Current speed, maximum speed, average speed as well as the distance travelled. The values are displayed on two LCD displays located at the centre of either side of the coach behind removable wall panels. A push button in front of the display switches the display, a second one serves as reset button.

The measuring electronics also work analogue DC or AC layouts. Whenever you do not wish to measure anything clip in the wall panels and enjoy the auxiliary emergency coach as an eye catcher in the yard or depot. The coach is equipped with separately switched exterior lighting and has white headlights and red tail lights. The interior lighting can also be switched independently.

Due to the universal electronics the coach is suitable for both three-rail and two-rail systems. Simply remove the centre pick-up for operation on the two-rail system.