Electric locomotive class 103.0 of the Deutsche Bundesbahn.

■ Pre-series locomotive
■ The headlights can be switched off completely or partially with contact plates

In 1961, the DB commissioned German electric and locomotive construction companies to submit appropriate designs for a six-axle locomotive with at least 5.000 kW output and a maximum speed of 200 km/h. The first of four pre-series locomotives were delivered in February 1965. However, Germany's new showpiece locomotives could not be used in regular service to their full extent, because they did not meet the speed regulations at the time. When the Class 103.1 series locomotives came into service in 1970, the pre-series locomotives increasingly lost their importance but were still available for test runs with new wagons.