First introduced in 1996, the Class 101 electric locomotive was intended to be the new flagship locomotive for express InterCity services in Germany. Although the 220 km/h three-phase locomotive, built by Adtranz, encountered a few teething troubles, it has subsequently proven itself and by 1999 there were 145 examples in service. Class 101 became the prime motive power for Germany’s IC network and brought about the withdrawal of previous generation Class 103.
Die Baureihe 101 DVD takes the viewer on a journey through the history of this now ageing electric locomotive. Over the years the class has been was used very successfully by DB for marketing purposes, with several class members receiving all-over advertising liveries, both for private companies and for DB itself. As well as the high speed IC services for which they were built, the locomotives have more recently seen service on fast regional service between Nürnberg and München and have even been used for freight traffic.
Die Baureihe 101 DVD illustrates the locomotives at work on all these services and in a variety of locations. Includes footage from across the 25 years since Class 101 first entered service. German commentary. Approximately 58 minutes running time.