TIFOSITEASER LIMITED EDITION<SOLVED> SCHIENENZEPPELLIN -BMW ENGINE

[Tifosi]

Here's an offbeat puzzle...it's a train, obviously; but it's a very important milestone in the rail industry's history, and a very popular scale model for train buffs.  I'm looking for the auto manufacturer who had a very important role in this vehicle's development.  One point for the auto company, and another bonus point if you can name the train.

[@re]

Franz Kruckenberg's "Schienenzeppelin" (meaning Rail Zeppelin, designed 1929, built 1930) that managed a top speed of 230 kph for about 20 kms, a record that stood from 1931 and 20 years on. It was driven by a giant propeller linked to a BMW 12-cylinder, 600hp airplane engine, if that's the car connection you're after 

(The engine was swapped for a Maybach engine in 1934, before the whole project was scrapped in 1939.)

[Tifosi]

You've got it!  I would have loved to see this railcar at speed...I imagine it would have been an unforgettable experience.  Wouldn't want to be too close to that prop, though...probably gave conductors and potential passengers the willies...wonder why it wasn't shrouded?


Dan

[Otto Puzzell]

There was another car connection, of sorts...

[Wendax]

More of that one can be seen here: http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=16395.msg213012#msg213012