Description

From 1910 to 1912 the "Mittenwaldbahn" was built, a line that connected Innsbruck in Austria with Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany. This line is in the middle of the Alps, it therefore contains steep ramps and is a rather big challenge for train engines. As such, it was a prime candidate to test electric engines. It became one of the first lines in both Germany and Austro-Hungary to be electrified, before World War I.

The type EP 1 (as the E 62 was originally designated) was built exclusively for passenger services on that line, and it only ever saw service on that line. The technical details proved to be quite modern, the engine came with electric heating for the passenger coaches instead of using a steam boiler as it was standard at the time. Only five units were built, but they proved to be reliable in everyday usage. Three of the units survived to be taken over by the Bundesbahn after World War II, with the last unit being retired in 1955.

In the set this is the first electric engine to be available. Just as in reality, it outperforms steam engines with a much higher tractive effort. One will probably only use this type for really difficult lines in the mountains where speed is not needed, as the price is higher compared to steam engines, and building an electrified line is also more expensive.