DB Class 143

Deutsche Reichsbahn Class 243
Deutsche Bahn Class 143

Locomotive 143 017-2 in Nürnberg

Type and origin Power type Electric Builder LEW Hennigsdorf Total produced 636

Specifications UIC class Bo'Bo' Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Length 16.64 m (54 ft 7 in) Loco weight 82.5 tonnes (81.2 long tons; 90.9 short tons) Electric system(s) 15 kV 16.7 Hz Catenary Current collection Pantograph Traction motors Four Loco brake KE-GPR-E + ep // Knorr air brakes and electric resistance brake Safety systems Sifa / PZB / LZB

Performance figures Maximum speed 120 km/h (75 mph) Power output 3,720 kW (4,990 hp) Tractive effort 240 kN (54,000 lbf)

Career Class DR: 243 DB: 143 First run 1985 Last run Still in active service - first 11 withdrawn in 2008

DR Class 212 and 112.0
DB and DR Class 112.1
DBAG Class 112.1 and 112.0
DBAG Class 112 and 114

112 158-1 in Munich

Type and origin Power type Electric Builder LEW Hennigsdorf (since 1992 AEG) Total produced 130

Specifications UIC class Bo'Bo' Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Length 16.64 m (54 ft 7 in) Loco weight 82.5 tonnes (81.2 long tons; 90.9 short tons) Electric system(s) 15 kV 16.7 Hz Catenary Current collection Pantograph Traction motors Four Safety systems PZ 80 (112.0) LZB I 80 (112.1)

Performance figures Maximum speed 160 km/h (99 mph) Power output 4,220 kW (5,660 hp) Tractive effort 248 kN (56,000 lbf)

The DR Class 243 is a universal electric locomotive of the Deutsche Reichsbahn which is used for general rail service. Deutsche Bahn lists the locomotive as Class 143. The locomotives of class 143/243 still belong to the most successful class of German electric locomotives.

Beginning in 1976, the Deutsche Reichsbahn of the GDR recommenced their railway electrification efforts in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis, which had also affected the East Bloc countries. Prior to this, Deutsche Reichsbahn had mainly acquired Russian-built diesel locomotives, such as the class 120 and the DR Class 130 family, as the Soviet Union had been providing the GDR with inexpensive heavy oil and diesel fuel. VEB Lokomotivbau und Elektrotechnische Werke Hennigsdorf, the only manufacturer of electric locomotives left in the GDR, was subsequently ordered to develop a modern lightweight, eight-wheel electric locomotive for both passenger and medium freight services, which was to be based on the heavy DR Class 250 Co'Co' freight locomotives. The bodywork and other mechanical components were developed and built at LEW's Hennigsdorf works, while the traction motors and other electric equipment were manufactured by EMW Dresden and various other producers.

The prototype for this new locomotive type was designated 212 001. It was built in 1982 and first presented at the Leipzig Spring Fair that year. As built, the locomotive was capable of a maximum speed of 140 kilometres per hour (87 mph). It underwent extensive route trials before being disassembled for evaluation purposes, and while being reassembled was modified for a lower top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), which had been specified for all following production locomotives. At this time, the locomotive was redesignated 243 001. Owing to its special livery of white with crimson stripes, 243 001 was given the nickname Weiße Lady (White Lady). Production of the new class began in 1985 after 243 001 had proven satisfactory during her trial period.

In the 1980s, few lines on the East German railway network were prepared for speeds exceeding 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph), which had been the principal reason for Deutsche Reichsbahn having specified 120 kph to be the top speed for their Class 243 locomotives. In 1984, the first batch of 20 locomotives was delivered, followed by 80 in 1985, 100 in 1986, 110 in 1987 and 114 in 1988. By the end of 1989, five hundred locomotives had been completed.