The 103 had another serious design flaw. It was the first german locomotive with electronic cruise control (AFB). The train driver could select the desired speed and the locomotive would adjust its power settings and brakes accordingly. The problem was that this system relied on a single speed sensor, and when that connection broke, a train accelerated far beyond the selected speed and derailed in a narrow curve (accident of Rheinweiler). After the accident the AFB was reinforced on the not-yet built long-cab locos. In the short locos the better AFB was never retrofitted and was only allowed to be used on lines with continuous train control (LZB) which provided additional safety.
10,000 hp! To me, the BR103 represents the high-water mark of German engine design. So sleek, so sylish, so fast... I cherish my Maklin Z-scale example, purchased back in the late 1970s. Such a great video too. Thanks!
For many People, or many Germans like myself, the Queen of Electric Locomotives. A milestone for German Railways and an Icon of its Era. Great Video again Still in love with your work.
Fun fact, I’ve heard that Lego 12v train set 7740 was based on this locomotive. Released in 1980, 7740 notably swapped out the tan of the basis for its design with yellow. This was likely due to The Lego Group not having tan plastic as a color option in 1980. Interestingly, just like her basis, 7740 refused to accept retirement, remaining on store shelves far longer than the other engines released in 1980, such as 7750 and 7730. 7740 would also go on to receive two additional supplemental train cars, those being a mail car, 7819, and a sleeper, 7815, both released in 1983. 7740 has gone down in the history books as being one of the most recognizable Lego trains, alongside the Metroliner and Santa Fe Super Chief. Anyways, just thought I’d let you know this fun fact. Oh, and I may be receiving a copy of 7740 for Christmas this year, just the engine and cars though, no platform or tracks. Rockatoa, Brickticks out!
Very interesting episode of the most handsome locomotive. According to Roco from the 80s catalogue the extended cabs were 40cm longer and there was one loco rated for 250km/h. I have 5 locos in HO scale 4 in the TEE livery and one in the Oriental red. 1970 was when I started collecting model trains but did not have a class 103 till much later,I am now 65. Thankyou for your research and excellent presentation.
Thank you! Yes, the class 103 was used a lot for high-speed testing. In the late 1980s (so probably after the catalogue you mentioned was printed) another one was rated at 280 km/h and still is today.
@@steelbridgemodels 103 002 had the 280 km/h rated bogies, when it was decomissioned, it swapped bogies with 103 222. Both locos are still around to this day and will be for hopefully many years, considering who owns them now.
Thankyou for the reply.The Roco catalogues I have are '83,'84,85. I have 1 model with extended cab,each loco has different pantograph. Only the red one has single arm pantograph which is the most recent.
And some of thrm where allowed to be run over 200 kph. There is one owned by railadventure, which has been allowed to travel 220 kph, it has other bogies then the other ones. It was made to be a experimental engine. There where three made. One was scrapped, one was refitted with normal BR103 bogies after testing and had their Driving switch also been raplaced with a original one and one which is currently owned by railadventure which has the testing highspeed bogies and highspeed driving switch and is rated to 220 kph V Max. In fact in germany it is illegal to travel with more tgen 200kph on lines with Railroad crossings and Gravel bed.
Several 103's even went on display duty in other coutries to celibrate rail jublilea. While often not able to run under their own power under foreign overhead wires they were asked to be present at festivities to celibrate other countries railway jubilea. Even just standing at a railway yard with stairs attached to them so people can visit them they remain an icon of railway enginering.
Very interesting material, particularly valuable for modell railbahn enthusiasts from eastern Europe, who are not necessarily German-speaking very fluently, but value and recognize German technology in itself and share the hobby.
The GG1 locomotives had the same problem when they were no longer pulling the fast passenger trains. So what they did was they regeared the locomotives, so at full power, they did 90 mph(145kph). And that made them able to start and stop local passenger trains and pull heavy freight trains as well.
It was certainly possible, but there were other things to consider : - the locomotives were close to the end of their time. Was the modification worthwhile? - they were designed to run at speed, not frequent start and stops. Some improvements to the cooling system, and, maybe, other things, would have been required. Certainly costly, and maybe impossible as there were already at the weight limit. So, it goes beyond a simple regearing.
Unfortunately, this didn't work very well with the class 103. Already in the early 1970s three locomotives were tested with gearing for a maximum speed of just 160 km/h as there were not yet many routes available allowing them to go at full speed. But this wasn't pursued any further, as the lower gearing lead to frequent damages. It would have been necessary to modify the motors and transformer, which was already in the 1970s deemed to be too expensive, let alone towards the end of their careers.
Beautiful models of a fantastic locomotive. I have happy memories of spotting these during a trip to the Rhine Valley in the mid-80s. My favourite era for them was when they were fitted to their full skirts. A great look.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful Locomotive. I remember seeing them on the rails when I lived in West Germany in the mid '70's. My Dad had a complete 103 express train in HO scale from Fleischmann. I can remember watching it run the layout for hours, even that small version exuded elegance and beauty.
I saw the Rail Adventures 103 with the Luxon before I knew that this exists. I was completely blown away and as it disappeared from my view I thought this is some super rich guy who just enjoys his live and buys old train stock.
I was introduced to the class through a Märklin catalog I found in a collection of train magazines from the 1970s; the catalog described it as "the strongest, fastest, and most elegant locomotive in service today" (it was the 1976 edition of the catalog)
Besonders als Frankfurter hat die E03 eine besondere Bedeutung für mic Denn sie bestinmte einst das Bild des nationalen IC Verkehrs, welches durch die Beheinatung der 103 hier seinen Stützpunkt fand.
The 103 is a lot like the Japanese EF66. Far more powerful than other locos, they were also more power-thirsty and maintainence intensive. Originally designed to pull fast freight, they were later the de facto locomotive for limited express trains. They did not get another locomotive with so much hp until the 1990s.
Yes and no. With the expanse of the InterCity network, the number of 103s was insufficient from the beginning, and rather than replacing the 103s, the Class 120 filled that gap. But of course, the availability of the 120s eventually sped up the withdrawal of 103s.
The 103s hat to be replaced beacuse they were completely worn out. They were designed to pull heavy trains at 160 km/h and lighter trains at 200 km/h, but over two decades they had to pull heavy ICs at 200 km/h. After the privatisation of DB maintenance was reduced leading to additional wear. At the end, several sub-systems like the transformer boosting circuit and the AFB (cruise control) were already deactivated to reduce wear.
The BR 101 are now on their way out the same way the 103 went. Most of the remaining locos having been scheduled to be withdrawn in 2025 once new ICE replace them. European rail really peaked in the 70s in regard to aesthetic.
Schöne darstellung. Während den 1970er/80er jahren kam die 103 auch oft in DB-werbung vor, sie sollte sicher als "gesicht der Bahn" etabliert werden. Vielleicht könnten bei den stromabnehmern noch die zugfedern gezeigt werden (sowohl DBS54 als auch SBS65 haben welche, moderne pneumatische stromabnehmer nicht mehr). Die 103 war nicht druckertüchtigt und damit nicht für die schnellfahrstrecken geeignet, dort übernahmen neu ausgelieferte 120.1 die züge, bis genug ICE 1 ausgeliefert waren. Mit der einführung von fernverkehrs-steuerwagen zeigte sich ein weiteres manko: 103 waren nie wendezugtauglich und das wurde auch nicht nachgerüstet. Vielleicht hat der allgemeinzustand die investition nicht mehr gerechtfertigt, oder es gab probleme mit dem längeren lokkasten. Zumindest hätte sie wohl breitere puffer gebraucht (so weit ich weiß haben aber alle 103 stets ihre rundpuffer behalten).
Like Its Dutch co co equivalent : NS 1200 some not ready for retirement. Good no 200 km design; but running 70 years plus now.. DB 103, NS 1200 (and FS 444, SNCF 7100, Fast Relicts from great railway times!
The NS 1200 was produced in the early 50s and had a top speed of only 150 km/h. So she was no match for the 103. The SNCF 7100 was even slower. She had a maximum speed of 140 km/h. Her successor, the SNCF 7200, had a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Yes, they were all in service for a very long time, but the only one of the locomotives you mentioned that is in the same league as the 103 is the FS 444. It is also the only one of the four of them (including the 103) that is still in regular service today as 444R, thanks to a major upgrade she got in the late 80s / early 90s.
@@Nils_Ki tjhat is an argument but doesnot take away aything of my comparision. Other time, other country. Its about icion engines that ever last. On the 7100 series how about 329 and 331 km/h in 1955; even a modified280 km.h 103 does not come cllose. its not about what is int he books and specssonlyy
RaIlAdventure have a even more powerful loco in the Swiss Re 620 prototype at 10 700HP. While the power available of both locos is very impressive the high speed of the 03 or the high torque of Re620 are not really required for there duties, but very good to see with there trains of trains.
@@augustiner3821 There is a saying with aircraft engines 'you can take it to the wire' If the wire is broken the engine requires a re build. Same for most machines. The posted power is the max. repeatable power.
6:34 now it would be nice to get the term in writing. just becaue it's hard to understand for an austrian, a german term, pronounced somewhat english by an eastern european. ;-) good video, just a few language barriers.
The train mentioned was TEE 86/87 "Prinz Eugen", the only 103 train in Austria. The train got his name from the historical figure Prince Eugen. There is a song about him called "Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter" (Prince Eugen, the noble Knight). When TEE 86/87 ripped down the overhead wires in Austria on multiple occasions, austrian railmen gave it the nickname "Prinz Eugen, der edle Reißer" (Prince Eugen, the noble ripper).
The 103 had another serious design flaw. It was the first german locomotive with electronic cruise control (AFB). The train driver could select the desired speed and the locomotive would adjust its power settings and brakes accordingly. The problem was that this system relied on a single speed sensor, and when that connection broke, a train accelerated far beyond the selected speed and derailed in a narrow curve (accident of Rheinweiler).
After the accident the AFB was reinforced on the not-yet built long-cab locos. In the short locos the better AFB was never retrofitted and was only allowed to be used on lines with continuous train control (LZB) which provided additional safety.
10,000 hp!
To me, the BR103 represents the high-water mark of German engine design. So sleek, so sylish, so fast... I cherish my Maklin Z-scale example, purchased back in the late 1970s.
Such a great video too. Thanks!
It's quite funny that some of the mentioned 111's are still wearing their diamond pantograph to this day
Not all of them
I saw one of them very recently.
@@nicowolters8959 thats why he said "some" and not "all" ;)
For many People, or many Germans like myself, the Queen of Electric Locomotives.
A milestone for German Railways and an Icon of its Era.
Great Video again
Still in love with your work.
Thank you! The Queen of Electric Locomotives indeed!
These have to be one of the best looking locomotives ever! 👍😍👍
Fun fact, I’ve heard that Lego 12v train set 7740 was based on this locomotive.
Released in 1980, 7740 notably swapped out the tan of the basis for its design with yellow. This was likely due to The Lego Group not having tan plastic as a color option in 1980.
Interestingly, just like her basis, 7740 refused to accept retirement, remaining on store shelves far longer than the other engines released in 1980, such as 7750 and 7730.
7740 would also go on to receive two additional supplemental train cars, those being a mail car, 7819, and a sleeper, 7815, both released in 1983.
7740 has gone down in the history books as being one of the most recognizable Lego trains, alongside the Metroliner and Santa Fe Super Chief.
Anyways, just thought I’d let you know this fun fact. Oh, and I may be receiving a copy of 7740 for Christmas this year, just the engine and cars though, no platform or tracks.
Rockatoa, Brickticks out!
Very interesting episode of the most handsome locomotive.
According to Roco from the 80s catalogue the extended cabs were 40cm longer and there was one loco rated for 250km/h.
I have 5 locos in HO scale 4 in the TEE livery and one in the Oriental red.
1970 was when I started collecting model trains but did not have a class 103 till much later,I am now 65.
Thankyou for your research and excellent presentation.
Thank you! Yes, the class 103 was used a lot for high-speed testing. In the late 1980s (so probably after the catalogue you mentioned was printed) another one was rated at 280 km/h and still is today.
@@steelbridgemodels 103 002 had the 280 km/h rated bogies, when it was decomissioned, it swapped bogies with 103 222. Both locos are still around to this day and will be for hopefully many years, considering who owns them now.
Thankyou for the reply.The Roco catalogues I have are '83,'84,85. I have 1 model with extended cab,each loco has different pantograph. Only the red one has single arm pantograph which is the most recent.
The Roco catalogue is wrong, the cabs were indeed 30cm longer.
And some of thrm where allowed to be run over 200 kph. There is one owned by railadventure, which has been allowed to travel 220 kph, it has other bogies then the other ones. It was made to be a experimental engine. There where three made. One was scrapped, one was refitted with normal BR103 bogies after testing and had their Driving switch also been raplaced with a original one and one which is currently owned by railadventure which has the testing highspeed bogies and highspeed driving switch and is rated to 220 kph V Max. In fact in germany it is illegal to travel with more tgen 200kph on lines with Railroad crossings and Gravel bed.
Several 103's even went on display duty in other coutries to celibrate rail jublilea.
While often not able to run under their own power under foreign overhead wires they were asked to be present at festivities to celibrate other countries railway jubilea.
Even just standing at a railway yard with stairs attached to them so people can visit them they remain an icon of railway enginering.
Very interesting material, particularly valuable for modell railbahn enthusiasts from eastern Europe, who are not necessarily German-speaking very fluently, but value and recognize German technology in itself and share the hobby.
I interpret it as "Regal Ripper"
Thanks for another amazing history lesson!
The GG1 locomotives had the same problem when they were no longer pulling the fast passenger trains. So what they did was they regeared the locomotives, so at full power, they did 90 mph(145kph). And that made them able to start and stop local passenger trains and pull heavy freight trains as well.
It was certainly possible, but there were other things to consider :
- the locomotives were close to the end of their time. Was the modification worthwhile?
- they were designed to run at speed, not frequent start and stops. Some improvements to the cooling system, and, maybe, other things, would have been required. Certainly costly, and maybe impossible as there were already at the weight limit.
So, it goes beyond a simple regearing.
Unfortunately, this didn't work very well with the class 103. Already in the early 1970s three locomotives were tested with gearing for a maximum speed of just 160 km/h as there were not yet many routes available allowing them to go at full speed. But this wasn't pursued any further, as the lower gearing lead to frequent damages. It would have been necessary to modify the motors and transformer, which was already in the 1970s deemed to be too expensive, let alone towards the end of their careers.
Beautiful models of a fantastic locomotive. I have happy memories of spotting these during a trip to the Rhine Valley in the mid-80s. My favourite era for them was when they were fitted to their full skirts. A great look.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful Locomotive. I remember seeing them on the rails when I lived in West Germany in the mid '70's. My Dad had a complete 103 express train in HO scale from Fleischmann. I can remember watching it run the layout for hours, even that small version exuded elegance and beauty.
I saw the Rail Adventures 103 with the Luxon before I knew that this exists. I was completely blown away and as it disappeared from my view I thought this is some super rich guy who just enjoys his live and buys old train stock.
German's most beautiful locomotive.
The 101 looks great!
We had a 10,000 hp gas-electric turbine here in the states back in the 60s but they’re were 3 times the size of this thing
Very interesting story, the models you use are beautiful 👍
The BR 103 and BR 216 are the most beautiful classes of the modern Bundesbahn. No other ever managed to come close
Beautiful, unique loco!
I was introduced to the class through a Märklin catalog I found in a collection of train magazines from the 1970s; the catalog described it as "the strongest, fastest, and most elegant locomotive in service today" (it was the 1976 edition of the catalog)
Besonders als Frankfurter hat die E03 eine besondere Bedeutung für mic
Denn sie bestinmte einst das Bild des nationalen IC Verkehrs, welches durch die Beheinatung der 103 hier seinen Stützpunkt fand.
The 103 is a lot like the Japanese EF66. Far more powerful than other locos, they were also more power-thirsty and maintainence intensive. Originally designed to pull fast freight, they were later the de facto locomotive for limited express trains. They did not get another locomotive with so much hp until the 1990s.
Love that E18 mention, PLEASE TALK ABOUT IT :S
Didn't the BR 120 also play a role in the 103's demise? They also pulled many InterCity and InterRegio services back then.
Yes and no. With the expanse of the InterCity network, the number of 103s was insufficient from the beginning, and rather than replacing the 103s, the Class 120 filled that gap. But of course, the availability of the 120s eventually sped up the withdrawal of 103s.
The 103s hat to be replaced beacuse they were completely worn out. They were designed to pull heavy trains at 160 km/h and lighter trains at 200 km/h, but over two decades they had to pull heavy ICs at 200 km/h. After the privatisation of DB maintenance was reduced leading to additional wear. At the end, several sub-systems like the transformer boosting circuit and the AFB (cruise control) were already deactivated to reduce wear.
The BR 101 are now on their way out the same way the 103 went. Most of the remaining locos having been scheduled to be withdrawn in 2025 once new ICE replace them. European rail really peaked in the 70s in regard to aesthetic.
This was a very informative video on the history of the DB Class 103!
Excellent, very interesting.
I was waiting for this! Vielen Danke!
THIS CHANNEL IS AMAZING
Schöne darstellung. Während den 1970er/80er jahren kam die 103 auch oft in DB-werbung vor, sie sollte sicher als "gesicht der Bahn" etabliert werden.
Vielleicht könnten bei den stromabnehmern noch die zugfedern gezeigt werden (sowohl DBS54 als auch SBS65 haben welche, moderne pneumatische stromabnehmer nicht mehr).
Die 103 war nicht druckertüchtigt und damit nicht für die schnellfahrstrecken geeignet, dort übernahmen neu ausgelieferte 120.1 die züge, bis genug ICE 1 ausgeliefert waren. Mit der einführung von fernverkehrs-steuerwagen zeigte sich ein weiteres manko: 103 waren nie wendezugtauglich und das wurde auch nicht nachgerüstet. Vielleicht hat der allgemeinzustand die investition nicht mehr gerechtfertigt, oder es gab probleme mit dem längeren lokkasten. Zumindest hätte sie wohl breitere puffer gebraucht (so weit ich weiß haben aber alle 103 stets ihre rundpuffer behalten).
Thanks for another excellent video!
Next video about the DB class 120 please. First loco with a total new powering system
It will probably happen sometime next year!
Why are the DB101, Eurosprinter, Lok 2000, Vectron etc not made as powerful as this beast?
Funny part... I just love this class...the db br 103
10hp. Sweet!
Like Its Dutch co co equivalent : NS 1200 some not ready for retirement. Good no 200 km design; but running 70 years plus now.. DB 103, NS 1200 (and FS 444, SNCF 7100, Fast Relicts from great railway times!
The NS 1200 was produced in the early 50s and had a top speed of only 150 km/h. So she was no match for the 103.
The SNCF 7100 was even slower. She had a maximum speed of 140 km/h. Her successor, the SNCF 7200, had a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Yes, they were all in service for a very long time, but the only one of the locomotives you mentioned that is in the same league as the 103 is the FS 444. It is also the only one of the four of them (including the 103) that is still in regular service today as 444R, thanks to a major upgrade she got in the late 80s / early 90s.
@@Nils_Ki tjhat is an argument but doesnot take away aything of my comparision. Other time, other country. Its about icion engines that ever last. On the 7100 series how about 329 and 331 km/h in 1955; even a modified280 km.h 103 does not come cllose. its not about what is int he books and specssonlyy
@@Nils_Ki E444Rs are not in regular service since late 2021. It remains only for historics purposes.
Could I add the 2-D-2 9100 class here? Thank you.
@@robertwilloughby8050 sure
RaIlAdventure have a even more powerful loco in the Swiss Re 620 prototype at 10 700HP. While the power available of both locos is very impressive the high speed of the 03 or the high torque of Re620 are not really required for there duties, but very good to see with there trains of trains.
you listened to the video? 10.000hp was the permanent power output, short term the 103 delivered up to 16.000hp.
@@augustiner3821 There is a saying with aircraft engines 'you can take it to the wire'
If the wire is broken the engine requires a re build. Same for most machines. The posted power is the max. repeatable power.
8:58 Christoph Eden-Grün
Someone noticed! 😂
Only the SBB Re 6/6 is a little bit more powerful but not as fast
5830 hp is not 10.000 hp
@augustiner3821 Re6/6 10600 hp Ae 6/6 5830 hp those are two totaly different locos
thanks for another great video!
Could you ever do the ET275 the S Bahn is now 100 Years old until Sommer next year.
6:34 now it would be nice to get the term in writing. just becaue it's hard to understand for an austrian, a german term, pronounced somewhat english by an eastern european. ;-)
good video, just a few language barriers.
Edler Reißer?
The train mentioned was TEE 86/87 "Prinz Eugen", the only 103 train in Austria. The train got his name from the historical figure Prince Eugen. There is a song about him called "Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter" (Prince Eugen, the noble Knight).
When TEE 86/87 ripped down the overhead wires in Austria on multiple occasions, austrian railmen gave it the nickname "Prinz Eugen, der edle Reißer" (Prince Eugen, the noble ripper).
@@thomasgabler3476 thank you :-)
Yay new video
one class 103 is capable of 280 kph due to modifications
What is its horsepower Level? its over 9000
how does a train manage this 😭
with ease
The 'Auschwitz' Class
❓❓❓