Description

In the early 1960ies, the Deutsche Bundesbahn planned to raise the top speed of their fastest inter city trains to 125 mph. This prompted the development of a new engine type. The result was the elegant yet extremely powerful class 103, which is still widely regarded as one of the most beautiful electric engines in the history of German railways.

The units were the backbone of the exclusive Intercity- and TEE-network more or less throughout their entire service. Having the monopoly on those fast trains, these engines gained a wide popularity. When the first ICE-trains entered service in the early 90ies, the locomotives had to step down into second line. The heavy duties in front of heaviest passenger trains also started to take their toll. In the late 90ies, the new class 101 became their successor, in 2003 the last regular train was hauled by a class 103, ending more than 30 years of most intensive service.

In the game this type is outstanding when it comes to handling fast passenger services, as it had been in reality. It is of course best suited for long distance hauls between the biggest cities, where the high speed really matters.

Images and Screenshots

The BR 103 is built for the fastest express trains. In the 1970s that means TEE trains in their cream-red livery.These trains have special coaches, a dining car on third position and a dome car on fifth position. These are inserted automatically if the train is long enough.

After 1987 the engines get the red livery of the DB. The Intercity coaches are now gray-red.

The main line coaches in Intercity colors of the era 1987-1996 can be refitted to the Interregio livery gray/blue. The BR 103 can also haul these.