The ET 65, which was known as the elT 12 until 1940, was a multiple unit for suburban traffic in Stuttgart. Although more modern multiple units were developed shortly after it, it was able to remain in service with several rebuilds from 1933 to 1979. Due to the noise of the traction motors, it was known to the population as the “Red Howler”.

The trains originally consisted of a power car with two pantographs, two trailer cars and a driving trailer.

The trailers were two-axle Württemberg passenger cars which had been equipped with electric heating. The vehicles had multiple controls and were therefore given gangways on the front ends. In contrast to later models, there was still an auxiliary engine room inside the cabin of the railcar, since the electrical system was still too bulky at that time. The car bodies were still riveted, only the last series received welded structures.

After the war, two power cars and several driving trailers hab been destroyed, but these were replaced by vehicles from other classes. At the beginning of the 1960s, a modernization took place, in which the front sides were replaced by a common front without a gangway. The speed was increased to 85 km/h with new traction motors. In the second class there were now also upholstered seats and the two old trailers were replaced by a four-axle Umbauwagen, what was an old refurbished coach. With the introduction of computer numbering, the railcars became the class 465 and the trailers and driving trailers became the class 865. After they had been replaced by the class 420 and were stored in 1978, they were retired in 1979.