Steam locomotive class 44 of the Deutsche Bundesbahn.

■ Digitally switchable light and sound functions
■ Driver's cab illumination digitally switchable
■ Valve gear lighting, digitally switchable with 3 lamps per side
■ With Era III lettering available for the first time
■ Lower-placed DB-Witte smoke deflectors
■ Middle driving axles with smaller wheel flanges
■ With a clear view between the boiler and the chassis
■ Coal tender type 2‘2‘T34

With the standard locomotive programme, the Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft (DRG) also focused on developing a powerful goods train locomotive. From the locomotive with triplet engine, designated as class 44, the railway company expected to transport goods trains of up to 1,200 t in the low mountain ranges and 600 t on steep ramps. In 1926, the first ten locomotives were delivered and had an axle arrangement of 1'E h3. It was not until 1937, after increasing demands for train support, that this locomotive went into serial production and was purchased in large numbers in various designs. Until they were replaced by modern diesel and electric locomotives, the class 44 locomotives formed the backbone of the heavy goods train service throughout Germany.