DB Class 111

Deutsche Bundesbahn Baureihe 111

DB 111 214-3 at Nürnberg Hbf, 2013.

Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Krauss-Maffei, Henschel, Krupp, Siemens, AEG and BBC Build date 1974–1984 Total produced 227

Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo'Bo' Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Length 16.75 m (54 ft 11 in) Loco weight 83 tonnes (82 long tons; 91 short tons) Electric system(s) 15 kV  16 2⁄3 Hz AC Catenary Current source Pantograph Traction motors Four Loco brake Knorr airbrake, electric brake Train brakes Air Safety systems Sifa, PZB90

Performance figures Maximum speed 160 km/h (99 mph) Power output 3,720 kW (4,990 hp) Tractive effort 274 kN (62,000 lbf)

Career Operators Deutsche Bundesbahn Deutsche Bahn AG Class 111 Disposition One each scrapped in 1981 and 2008, remainder in service

The Baureihe 111 is a class of electric locomotives built for the Deutsche Bundesbahn, and now owned by Deutsche Bahn AG.

Class 111 is the successor of the Class 110 express Einheitslokomotive. Since demand for fast electric locomotives was high even after production of the 110 ended, the Deutsche Bundesbahn decided to commission a new batch in the 1970s. The bogies were replaced with a different type, significantly improving the locomotive's behaviour at higher speeds. The driver's cab also was significantly improved by the DB-Einheitsführerstand (jointly developed by the Bundesbahn-Zentralamt München and Krauss-Maffei and designed under ergonomic aspects) that was first used for Class 111 locos and whose basic layout nowadays still forms part of the cab design found in many of DB's locomotives and control cars. For the first time, a digital cab car interface in addition to the then-standard conventional interface was used in new Deutsche Bundesbahn locomotives.

The first locomotive, 111 001, left the Krauss-Maffei workshop in December 1974. Up to 1984, 226 more engines were produced, not only at Krauss-Maffei but also including parts from Henschel, Krupp, Siemens, AEG and BBC.

111 227 originally was supposed to be the last newly built conventional AC locomotive of the Bundesbahn, as the Baureihe 120, using three-phase AC motors, was already being produced.). However, after the German reunification it was decided to commission another batch of the Class 112, which had been developed by the East German railways. This decision was made mainly for political purposes.