Private automobile ownership soared in postwar West Germany, and with it came the loss of railroad passenger traffic. As with other railroads around the world, the DB tried to respond to this growing threat with lower cost means of operation. Out of this effort came the diesel rail buses, the ubiquitous VT 95 and VT 98 types. Starting around 1950, the single engine VT 95 began to handle rail passenger service on small branch lines. Where in earlier times a passenger train schedule had been handled by a locomotive a train of cars, along with the necessary crew of engineer, fireman, conductor and brakeman, the VT 95 burbled along with only a driver.  These new units were called the savior of the branch lines and they truly were everywhere.  There were ultimately 496 VT 95’s built.

     The VT 95 proved to be underpowered under certain circumstances, and the more powerful VT 98 entered the scene. A more powerful unit, with two diesel engines instead of the one in the VT 95, the VT 98 could also operate in a push/pull fashion with an unpowered trailer car. The VT 98 could also haul a freight car, operating as a mixed train.  Trains of up to six VT 98’s were seen, including a box car tagging along behind.

     Arnold rapido modeled the contemporary German railroad scene of that era, so it was more than appropriate that they would produce models of the VT 98.