DB Class 103

Deutsche Bundesbahn Baureihe 103

DB class 103 in Bremen-Hemelingen on 1984-07-11

Type and origin Power type Electric Builder AEG, Brown Boveri & Cie, Henschel, Krauss-Maffei, Krupp, Siemens AG Build date Prototype: 1965 Production: 1970–1973 Total produced Prototype: 4 Production: 145

Specifications UIC class Co′Co′ Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Length 19.50 m (64 ft 0 in) 20.20 m (66 ft 3 in) last 30 Loco weight Prototype: 112 t (110 long tons; 123 short tons) Production: 114 t (112 long tons; 126 short tons) Electric system(s) 15 kV 16⅔ Hz Catenary Current collection Pantograph Traction motors Six Loco brake KE-GPR, electric brakes Train brakes Air Safety systems Sifa, LZB

Performance figures Maximum speed 200 km/h (124 mph) 265 km/h (165 mph) 103 118 280 km/h (174 mph) 103 003+222 Power output Prototype: 5,950 kW (7,980 hp) Production: 7,440 kW (9,980 hp) Tractive effort Prototype: 314 kN (71,000 lbf) Production: 312 kN (70,000 lbf)

Career Operators Deutsche Bundesbahn Deutsche Bahn AG Class Baureihe 103 Withdrawn 2003

The Baureihe 103 is a class of electric locomotives in Germany, originally operated by Deutsche Bundesbahn. For a long period, they were perceived as flagships of the DB rolling stock.

In the decades following World War II, the Deutsche Bundesbahn focused on purchasing a large number of standardised electric locomotives. The goal was to promote the electrification program and to replace older types of electric locomotives. A maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph) was deemed sufficient. With growing economic prosperity, competition with other means of transportation, especially automobiles, was increasing.

During the 1950s, plans were made to enhance pre-war Class E 19 locomotives to have a top speed of 180 kilometres per hour (110 mph), but the technical layout was out-dated and the braking system was deemed inefficient. The plans were revised to demand a top speed of 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph), combined with a Co'Co' wheel arrangement to limit the axle load to 18 tons. Elements of the new class, such as high speed bogies, were tested with existing Class E 10 units.

Four prototypes were finished in 1965. They were introduced to the public at the Internationale Verkehrsausstellung (international transport fair) in Munich in June 1965 as Class E 03 (Class 103.0 after the introduction of the new numbering system). During exhibition runs to Augsburg they reached 200 km/h on a regular basis. The experience gained on these occasions indicated that the installed power of 5,950 kW or 7,980 hp (continuous — 6,420 kW or 8,610 hp one hour) was insufficient. In addition to stronger motors the transformer was also reinforced for serial production.

The first serial type Class 103.1 was put into service 27. May 1970. DB planned to introduce a new Intercity system with fast first class connections between major cities in autumn of 1971, so the specification sheet demanded Class 103.1 to be capable of pulling a 400-tonne (390-long-ton; 440-short-ton) train at 200 km/h (120 mph). With a total number of 145 units Class 103.1 became the backbone of German Trans Europ Express and InterCity lines. Starting with 103 216, the locomotive body was extended by 700 mm (27.6 in) in order to provide more space in the driver's cab.