Description

The E 95 was designed in the late 1920s as a heavy freight engine for the challenging mountain lines in Silesia. These lines were of utmost importance for the German industry, as they were the main transportation routes for coal from the Silesian mines towards central Germany. Six units were built and proved to be extremely powerful, being able to haul heaviest coal trains on these lines. However, no further units were built as there were no suitable electrified lines where this power was required. Once these lines had been electrified in the 1930s, newer more simple designs had already been developed.

After the end of World War II, the engines ended up in the Soviet Union. In the early 1950s they were given back to the Reichsbahn in East Germany, but not in a functioning state. Three units were repaired in 1959, to be used for hauling coal trains in the area of Halle/Leipzig. This proved to be fraught with technical issues and problems with the complex controls, damaged motors were also an increasingly common occurrence. By the end of the 1960s enough newly built engines were available to retire these three units. One of them was kept as a museum piece.

In the game the consequences of the political turmoil of the time are left out, the player also has full control to roll out ambitious electrification programs, resulting in the ability to make much more use of this type. This engine is easily the best one for heavy freight trains on difficult mountain lines. The only downside is the rather low speed, which is why one should consider the class E 94 as replacement. The introduction of class 150 is then probably the last nail in the coffin for this impressive type.

Images and Screenshots

The Verein Schlesische Gebirgsbahnen, a railway modelling club depicting the traffic on the electric network in Silesia in the 1930ies, has a page on the class E 95. The pages are entirely in German, but the photos should speak for themselves.

The typical sight of a E95 in original gray livery, hauling a long coal train.

Later on the livery changes to green, the usage for heavy freight trains remains.