[MichaelE]

From Germany yesterday. Deutsche Bahn Br.628.4 regional railcar service in Bahnland Bayern paint.

These are used all over Germany for local services on branch lines between small towns and villages from one regional station to another.

Top speed is 70MPH, Diesel powered at 650 HP at 2100RPM, seats 112 to 136 depending upon configuration and bicycle accomodation. One is a powered Diesel unit and the other functions as the control car in the opposite direction.

 

[MichaelE]

Who said it was for denoting the end of a car at a grade crossing?

Suppose it's for yard or staging track work? Loading or unloading at a platform or dock or coal tipple?

Maybe it's for a remote reader for counting rolling stock to know when a yard track is full.