Description

In the late 1960s the political leadership of the German Democratic Republic decided that steam engines should be replaced by diesel engines built in the Soviet Union, favoring the cheap crude oil provided by the Soviet Union over the huge investments needed for electric engines. Several types were imported, the highest number of units were of class 132. This type turned out to be universally used by the railways in East Germany. It was used for heavy freight trains as well as fast passenger trains, since the East German rail network did not allow for more than 120 kph top speed anyway.

After German reunification and the subsequent administrative changes in the organizational structures, the type was assigned the class 232 and assigned to the freight department. It replaced older units of the V160-family and is mainly found in heavy duty freight servies, for example towards the Netherlands or on the non-electrified lines in southeast Bavaria. The engines were also used for Intercity trains, for example the last ones between Dresden and Nuremberg or the Eurocity between Berlin and Warsaw. There were also uncountable modifications and engine changes, creating a bunch of similar looking types (class 233, 234, 241), which differ by top speed and power. Most of these classes have been retired by now, the end of the usage for class 232 is also on the horizon. However, various smaller companies are also using the type for freight services.

In the game, this type is a mix of class 132 (time of introduction) and class 142 (power), but the history of this type is rather complicated due to the political changes anyway. One will probably not use this type for passenger services, as there is the faster class 218 (if you still have non-electrified lines left in the network, that is). The type is interesting for freight services in order to replace the class 45 steam engines, unless you want to switch to electric engines there as well.