From the 1960s onwards, parallel to the development of two-way diggers, rail vehicles with mounted excavator superstructures were developed. Due to their top speed of 80 km/h, these were able to quickly change locations between two trains, even on main lines. The type VG 17 was delivered exclusively to the DB.  The driver’s cab was located at the opposite end of the vehicle to the digger top. Between the driver’s cab and the upper part of the excavator (Atlas type 1302) there was a side loading tipper, so that a limited amount of material could be carried on the vehicle.

Our vehicle was accepted by the DB in 1978 and was used in the Hanau track construction yard. In the meantime, the car was given the number 97 17 36 009 17-8 and was taken over by the railway construction division, BNB Mitte, Hanau. It came to our museum in 2003.