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Epoch III

Introduction
A new start
The first trains after the war
The first network of long-distance trains
Moving forward, more trains, more comfort, more regularity
Pre war rolling stock again in service
The start of an international long-distance network
The blue network of fast express trains
The modern era, the rise of electric locomotives
The modern diesel locomotive is coming
A new class of coaches
The third class is abandoned
The last new steam engine
A new prestious network, the Trans Europ Express
The Rheingold, from 1962 again exclusive
A new star on rails, the electric locomotive E 03

The modern diesel locomotive is coming

The first diesel locomotives of the Deutsche Bundesbahn were the diesel hydraulic locomotives V 140, the former wehrmacht locomotives WR 200 and 360 (the V 20 and V 36) and three diesel electric double locomotives D 311 (V 188).

After the abolishment of the construction embargo for new rail vehicles, the DB began to build from 1948 new locomotives from a pre war construction of the so-called "Leistungsgruppe II". These locomotives were technically equal in comparison with the pre war locomotives. These locomotives had a hydraulic transmission.

Due to the good experiences done with the hydraulic transmissions of the V 140, these transmission was the basis of the type program for new diesel locomotives as formulated in the fifties.

The V 200, the first new constructed diesel locomotive in the new type program for diesel locomotives
The V 200, the first new constructed diesel locomotive in the new type program for diesel locomotives
The first locomotives of this type program were delivered in 1952. These locomotives were the locomotives of class V 80. The DB ordered 10 B'B' diesel locomotives of class V 80 with hydraulic transmissions. The locomotives were intended for pulling light to medium heavy passenger and freight trains on main and sidelines. The V 80 had two gears and a maximum speed of 100 km/h.

With the construction of these locomotives the DB made an important decision as far as the construction of diesel locomotives was concerned. This decision had a lasting effect on the rest of the diesel locomotives ordered by the DB until 1979 when the last diesel locomotive was delivered, the BR 218 499.

All diesel locomotives were characterised by a fast running diesel engine with a hydrodynamical transmission which drove the axles by means of a coupled axle or cardan shaft. Other developments were the continuing increase of power of the engines and the switch from steam heated heating installations for passenger trains to electrical heating installations for passenger trains.

In a couple of locomotives the DB experimented with techniques to increase the power by using gas turbines for example. But these locomotives were all taken out of service after a while.

Also the numerous prototype locomotives built on the industries own account to test for example diesel electric concepts were no succes in the sense of a purchase of the DB. Of course the increase of electrified mainlines was also not a stimulus for the developments of the diesel locomotive.

In the type program of 1953 the DB had planned six types of diesel locomotives:

  • V 60 with 1 motor, 650 hp, axle layout C, intended for shunting services
  • V 65 with 1 motor, 650 hp, axle layout D, intended for sidelines and shunting services
  • V 65.2 with 1 motor, 800/1000 hp, axle layout B'B', intended for heavy trains on sidelines and light trains on mainlines
  • V 160 with 1 motor, 1600 hp, axle layout B'B', intended for medium heavy freight and passenger trains on mainlines
  • V 200 with 2 motors, 2200 hp, axle layout B'B', intended for heavy passenger trains on mainlines
  • V 320 with 2 motors, 3200 hp, axle layout C'C', intended for heavy trains on mainlines

The first locomotives which was first built and delivered in this type program was the V 200. The V 200 was in technical respects a double locomotive class V 80. The first five prototype locomotives were delivered in 1953. The 81 series locomotives were deliverd from 1956.