DB Class 103

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Baureihe 103
Technical data
Class number	103
Put into service	1965 (103.0), 1970-1973 (103.1)
Retired	2003
Number built	149
Manufacturers	AEG, BBC, Henschel, Krauss-Maffei, Krupp and Siemens
Wheel arrangement	Co'Co'
Maximum speed	200 km/h
Gauge	1435 mm
Length from buffer to buffer	19,500 mm (103.0) 20,200 mm (103.1)
Service weight	110.0 / 110.4 tons
Number of motors	6
Power at rail	5.950 (103.0) /7.440 (103.1) kW
Tractive effort	312 kN
Safety systems	Sifa,LZB
Brakes	KE-GPR, electric brakes

The Baureihe 103 is a class of electric locomotives in Germany, originally operated by Deutsche Bundesbahn. A total of 145 units of this type were built in the years 1970 to 1973 for Trans-Europe Express and InterCity services. They were retired in 2003, having been replaced by the new Class 101.

Four prototypes, designated Class E 03 were delivered in 1965. During the Munich International Traffic Expo of 1965, three of these ran passenger trains between Munich and Augsburg at 200 km/h. In 1968, the prototypes were relabelled according to the new Numbering scheme of the German railways and became Class 103.0.

The first locomotives of the series, called Class 103.1, entered service in 1970. They were the flagships of the InterCity network, which was inaugurated in 1971. Prior to 1979, IC trains carried only first class cars, resulting in relatively short trains. When second class service was added, trains became significantly longer and heavier, and were more demanding on the locomotives. In the 1980s several lines were upgraded to a top speed of 200 km/h.

After DB's privatization in 1994, class 103 became part of DB Fernverkehr and suffered longer maintenance cycles. As a result, the machines were effectively worn out by the turn of the century, leading to their replacement at a relatively young age. Several engines, however, have been relabelled as Class 752 and are still being used as test vehicles.

[edit] External links

• Fan site (in German)