Description

This type was developed for cross-border services towards France, as this required support for different electric systems. Several prototypes were developed, series production started in 1974.

The engines were mainly meant to haul fast passenger trains, where the exchanging of engines at the border was most beneficial. However, freight trains were also regularly hauled by this type. The engines were all stationed in South West Germany to take care of the cross border services to France and Luxembourg. The premium passenger services were taken over by multi-system TGV and ICE units in the 21st century. By 2014 usage of this type basically ended as most international Intercity lines were discontinued. The last engines were retired in 2018.

This type has one main handicap: The reason for its usage, the different electric systems, just does not exist. What remains is an engine that is slower than the class 103, ruling out most express train services. The engine is also quite underpowered for freight trains, so they might be best used for fast passenger trains.

Images and Screenshots

Upon delivery the first BR 181 has a blue livery. Here it is hauling a fast train consisting of blue-cream main line coaches.

By the end of the 1970s also the engine is repainted to the standard blue-cream livery scheme of the time. The coaches already were painted that way, so no change there.

In the late 1980s the medium service Interregio is introduced. The coaches are gray-blue, while all engines are red.

The main use of the engines in the late 1980s were cross-border Intercity services to France and Luxembourg.

The livery scheme after 1997 in also in effect here. The BR 181 served in cross-border services until the mid 2010s.