Tyskt Ellok 120 Epok IV, DC Analogt, utrustat med PluX22 kontakt för att lätt kunna bygga om till Digitaldrift
Digitaldekoder 56400
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In the 1970s, the German Federal Railroads began the
search for a new four-axle universal locomotive which
could be used for both fast freight trains and IC passenger
trains. Between 1979 and 1980, the first 5 three-phase-drive
electric locomotives of the BR 120 in the TEE red/beige
color scheme were supplied to the DB. One prototype
locomotive, engine no. 120 005-4, which was authorized
for 200 km/h (124 mph) running, had a deeper sloping cab
face as well as a rounded cab roof line and pilot skirtings.
On August 13, 1980 engine no. 120 002 set a new world
speed record for a three-phase locomotive at 231 km/h
(143 mph). After four years of testing, sixty regular-production
BR 120 locomotives followed (numbers 120 101
to 160), wearing the Orient red color scheme, which,
thanks to their modern looks, shaped the appearance
of the Deutsche Bundesbahn in the 1980s. The mechanical
components of the Br 120 were built by Henschel,
Krauss-Maffei and Krupp, while the electrical components
were supplied by AEG, BBC and SSW. The main tasks the
lightweight Br 120s are used for are pulling heavy IC
passenger trains, as well as freight and regional passenger
trains. Often, locomotives of the Br 120 series are used to
haul the popular Interregio trains. Many times, the side
panels of the Br 120 are used as billboards, with advertising
graphics applied to them. After the year 2000, some
Br120s were rebuilt for commuter train service, and were
renumbered as Br 120.2.