DB Class V 100

Deutsche Bundesbahn

Industry	Railway
Founded	1950
Headquarters	Germany

The DB Class V 100 diesel locomotives were manufactured in the late 1950s by the Deutsche Bundesbahn to serve on branch lines without electrification, replacing older steam locomotive models. This series was created in three distinct versions.

After their withdrawal from service, several units found a second life with the Austrian Federal Railways throughout the 1990s and early years of the new millennium, where they were designated as ÖBB Class 2048.

Class V 100.10 / Class 211

The Class V 100.10 was a diesel locomotive designed for light passenger and freight services on secondary lines. It was developed in 1956 by the Bundesbahn Central Office in Munich in collaboration with the engineering company Maschinenbau Kiel (MaK) for the Deutsche Bundesbahn.

During late 1958, the initial six prototype locomotives were delivered. Units V 100 001 through V 100 005 were equipped with an 809 kW (1,100 HP) engine, whereas V 100 006 featured a more powerful 993 kW (1,350 HP) motor. This latter model served as the foundation for the V 100.20, which later became known as DB Class 212. The seventh prototype, V 100 007, was constructed by MaK and tested in Sweden before being sold to Deutsche Bundesbahn in 1959. In 1960, to clearly differentiate the more potent V 100 006 from the other prototypes, numbers 001 to 005 and 007 were renumbered to V 100 1001 through 1005 and 1007. Production commenced in 1961 and continued until 1963, involving manufacturers such as MaK, Deutz AG, Maschinenfabrik Esslingen, Henschel, Jung Lokomotivfabrik, Krauss-Maffei, and Krupp.

Following the Deutsche Bundesbahn’s locomotive renumbering scheme in 1968, the V 100.10 class was redesignated as DB Class 211. These locomotives were subsequently inherited by Deutsche Bahn AG in 1994.

After nearly four decades of operation, the final unit was retired in 2001.

Class V 100.20 / Classes 212 and 213

The DB Class V 100.20—later known simply as Class 212—represents a more powerful evolution of the original V 100 series. This class was derived from the prototype V 100 006, which was renumbered to V 100 2001 starting in 1960. Series production began in 1962. Unlike its predecessor primarily used on branch lines, this variant was designed for both mainline service and operation on steep gradients. By the conclusion of production in 1966, a total of 381 units had been built. The Class 212 measures approximately 12.1 metres in length (with units from number 022 onward extending to about 12.3 metres) and weighs around 63 tonnes. It is capable of reaching speeds up to 100 km/h and is powered by an engine producing 993 kW (1,350 PS).

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213 341 at Dillenburg in 1983

From the last batch of 150 locomotives produced, ten were outfitted with enhanced braking systems and modified drive mechanisms specifically for use on steep inclines. These machines were initially numbered V 100 2332 to V 100 2341 and were reclassified as DB Class 213 during the renumbering of 1968. They replaced steam locomotives from DB Class 82 and Prussian T 16.1 (Class 94) on routes such as the Murg Valley Railway and within the Westerwald region. In turn, they were succeeded on the Murg Valley line by DB Class 218 locomotives in 1972.

The final Class 212 units were withdrawn from regular service by 2004; however, several have been preserved or continue to operate under private ownership.

Locomotives of the Tunnel Rescue Train – Class 214/714

Given the numerous tunnels along the new railway connection between Würzburg and Hanover, specialized rescue vehicles were essential. To address this, the Bundesbahn created the Tunnel Emergency Train (Tunnelhilfszug or TuHi) as an external rescue system. The inaugural TuHi began operation in May 1988 at Fulda, utilizing diesel locomotives 212 244-8 as Locomotive 1 and 212 257-0 as Locomotive 2. Following this, the Würzburg TuHi entered service in August 1988 with locomotives 212 236-4 and 212 352-9 assigned as Locomotive 1 and Locomotive 2, respectively, while locomotive 212 271-1 was reserved as backup. Between May and August 1988, AW Kassel refurbished all five Class 212 locomotives designated for TuHi. Both TuHi trains operate unidirectionally, meaning they are designed for use in a single direction only. Their composition includes transport wagon 1, an equipment wagon, a firefighting wagon, a central wagon, a first aid coach, and transport wagon 2. The two locomotives differ: Loco 1 is equipped with a video camera and an infrared camera, two large and two small headlights, plus yellow flashing lights, whereas Loco 2 lacks the infrared camera. Effective from January 1, 1989, these five engines were reclassified into Class 214 while retaining their original serial numbers. Officially, all five locomotives are assigned to Bw Würzburg, although the Fulda-based TuHi locomotives mistakenly bore "Bw Fulda" markings.

On May 29, 1991, Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker ceremonially launched the full operation of the Hannover–Würzburg and Mannheim–Stuttgart high-speed lines at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe. This milestone necessitated deploying TuHi units at four additional sites beyond Fulda and Würzburg: Kornwestheim, Mannheim, Kassel, and Hildesheim. The Fulda-based TuHi was redesigned as a bidirectional train to serve both Würzburg and Kassel routes by incorporating an extra first aid coach immediately behind transport wagon 1. Meanwhile, placing TuHi trains at Hildesheim Hbf and Kassel Hbf allowed unidirectional trains to cover both directions of the high-speed network via connecting lines. Between August 1990 and April 1991, eight additional Class 212 or Class 214 locomotives were modified at AW Bremen and AW Kassel for these new TuHi. These included locomotives numbered 212 033, 212 046, 212 235, 212 245, 212 246, 212 251, 212 260, and 212 277; all retained their original numbers after conversion to Class 214. The distinction between Locomotive 1 and Locomotive 2 was eliminated to facilitate easier interchange during routine maintenance. In addition, former Loco 2 units from Würzburg and Fulda received infrared cameras in AW Kassel workshops in 1991. The cooling system for these cameras shifted from using liquid nitrogen flasks to standard liquid air cylinders.

Following the severe train accident near Northeim on November 15, 1992—when no TuHi was deployed—a revised rescue strategy was implemented. As the TuHi trains became available for operations beyond high-speed lines, they were renamed "emergency trains" (Rettungszüge or Rtz). On October 31, 1994, DB AG reclassified all thirteen Class 214 locomotives as railway works vehicles under Class 714 but maintained their serial numbers. Subsequently, on August 1, 1996, these locomotives were renumbered sequentially within Class 714 from 001 through to 013 based on their original numbering order—lowest number becoming 001 and highest becoming 013.

Since only one reserve locomotive existed initially, DB AG converted two more engines at Stendal during 1996/97: locomotive number 212 269 became Class 714 014 and number 212 160 became Class 714 015. Alongside renumbering, the TuHi/Rtz locomotives underwent a livery change. The first five locomotives retained the traditional ocean blue and beige colors; however, the subsequent eight units were painted orient red to enhance visibility against emergency wagons by adopting a luminous red shade. This distinctive paint scheme was applied to numbers 714 003, 714 008, 714 009, 714 011, 714 014, and 714 015 as well as to wagons in the Rtz sets stationed at Würzburg, Fulda, and Hildesheim. Because luminous red paint faded rapidly over time, all locomotives and wagons were later repainted in traffic red. The locomotive markings remain somewhat inconsistent: they display white lettering with "Rtz," alongside DB logos bearing white inscriptions "Netz Notfalltechnik" or "Notfalltechnik." All fifteen Class 714 locomotives belong to DB Netz, specifically under central route management/railway vehicle operations based in Fulda. From there, engine deployment is coordinated with regular rotation through a rolling schedule.

Use after 2004

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212 375 in April 2004 as a privately hired loco in Mannheim

Following the retirement of the final Class 212 locomotives operated by Railion on 13 December 2004, the DB's utilization of the V100 series largely came to an end. Apart from the 15 tunnel rescue locomotives classified as Class 714, only a handful remain active: four units from Classes 212 and 213 under the DB subsidiary Deutsche Bahn Gleisbau (DBG), and one Class 213 locomotive with another subsidiary, SüdostBayernBahn, which was taken out of service in November 2006.

In October 2006, twelve decommissioned Class 212 locomotives were sent to Aw. Cottbus for comprehensive overhaul, aiming to bring them back into service for DB track maintenance operations. By late 2008, ten of these locomotives had been upgraded with the MTU 8V 4000 R41 engines, delivering 1000 kW, comparable to those installed in the Class 290/294.

A significant number of locomotives from Deutsche Bahn's fleet were sold through a partnership with Alstom to Alstom Lokomotiven Service located in Stendal. There, these units underwent systematic refurbishment before being marketed to private railway companies both within Germany and internationally.

Several locomotives have been adopted by private operators, particularly companies specializing in rail infrastructure.

Class 214/262

File:NbE 212 197-8 1.jpg

The NbE's 212 137-8

File:V100 ALS BR 214 - Karlsruhe.jpg

The 92 80 1214 008-5 D-EVULW, and the 92 80 1214 010-1 D-EVULW at the Station Karlsruhe-Durlach

In November 2006, Alstom joined forces with Gmeinder Lokomotivfabrik Mosbach to create a modernization plan for former DB Class V100 locomotives. The prototype, numbered 214 110 but displayed as 212 197 with Nordbayerischen Eisenbahn (NBE), was unveiled at "Transport & Logistik München" in June 2007. The Federal Railway Authority officially recognized the classification on May 20, 2008, simultaneously listing Class 214 in the EBA locomotive register. The rebuild retained only the original V100's locomotive frame and bogies, while introducing an entirely new, more rectangular low-profile superstructure. These locomotives are powered by a new Caterpillar engine model, the 3508 BSC, producing 970 kW. When leased by DB, these units receive the designation Class 262. By August 2008, eleven locomotives had been delivered to clients including DB Schenker, Nordbayerische Eisenbahn, Locon, and BBL Logistik. DB Schenker assigned their units to operations based in Magdeburg. Approximately fifty older vehicles remain stored in Stendal for potential future conversion.

OnRail DH 1004

The OnRail DH 1004 locomotives were reconstructed from V100 models during the late 1990s and early years of the following decade by Vossloh. This process preserved the original frame, bogies, and transmission but replaced both the engine and bodywork entirely. These locomotives are primarily utilized in port environments and by private railway companies.

Preservation

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The charred remains of several locomotives inside the museum's engine shed (class V 100 at the front, class V 80 visible behind)

Following their retirement in 2004, locomotives 211 023, 212 023, and 212 330 were transferred to the Deutsche Bahn's own museum collection (refer to Nuremberg Transport Museum). One particular unit from the 212 series had been under the care of railway enthusiasts for many years; it was adopted in 1993 and subsequently repainted in its traditional purpurrot color scheme (Epoch III through Epoch IV) during major overhauls conducted in 1994 and again in 2000.

Tragically, all three locomotives suffered extensive damage due to a fire that broke out on 17 October 2005 within the museum premises. By mid-2006, specifically June and July, all of the museum-owned diesel locomotives that had been severely burned were dismantled and scrapped.

A comprehensive collection of Class V100 locomotives has been preserved. Notable examples include: 211 023-7 (DB Museum), 211 054-2 (Gemeinde Eschenau), 211 079-9 (Hammer EF), 211 200-1 (DGEG), 211 357-9 (Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung von Schienenfahrzeugen), 212 001-2 (DB Museum), 212 007-9 (DGEG), 212 009-5 (privately owned), 212 023-6 (DB Museum), 212 062-4 (DB Museum), 212 077-2 (DB Museum), 212 084-8 (DB Museum), 212 133-3 (private ownership), 212 203-4 (private ownership), and 212 372-7 (DB Museum).

See also

• The ÖBB Class 2048 – Austrian-modified versions of the Class 211 that operated during the 1990s (German Wikipedia article)

References

Books

• Große, Peter; Högemann, Josef. Die Baureihe V 100. EK-Verlag, Freiburg, 2005. ISBN 3-88255-104-6.
• Burow, Andreas. Die V 100-Familie. GeraNova Bruckmann, Munich, 2004. ISBN 3-7654-7109-7.
• von Lüpke, Alexander. Museumslokomotive 212 203-4. Eisenbahnfachbuch-Verlag, Neustadt, 2003. ISBN 3-9807748-0-5.

Periodical articles

• Engbarth, Fritz. "Abgelöst! Das Ende der V 100 in der Pfalz". Eisenbahn-Kurier, no.337, vol.34, EK-Verlag GmbH, year=2000, pp.50–53.
• Niedt, Marcus. "Mädchen für alles. Die Baureihen 211–214 der Bundesbahn". LOK MAGAZIN, no.238, vol.40, GeraNova Zeitschriftenverlag GmbH, Munich, year=2001, pp.69–79.
• Feldmann, Thomas. "Baureihe 212. Im Führerstand". LOK MAGAZIN, no.257, vol.42, GeraNova Zeitschriftenverlag GmbH, Munich, year=2003, pp.52–55.
• Burow, Andreas. "Lok für steile Strecken. Die Baureihe 213". LOK MAGAZIN, no.280, vol.44, GeraNova Zeitschriftenverlag GmbH, Munich, year=2005, pp.34–47.
• Lorenz, Jürgen. "Baureihe 214 jetzt mit Zulassung – weitere Lieferungen an LOCON und DB Schenker". Eisenbahnkurier no.7, EK-Verlag Freiburg, year=2008.

Film

• SWR: Eisenbahn-Romantik – Farewell to the V 100 (Episode 364)

External links

• V100.de Comprehensive resource featuring technical blueprints, detailed component data, and individual histories and photographs of all 745 locomotives. v100.de
• The DB V 100 Overview of the DB V 100 including a concise historical background and design specifics. epoch-3.de
• DB Class V 100 – Diesel-hydraulic locomotive information