DRG Class E 18 is one of the fastest German electric locomotives

With an hourly output of 3,040 kW and a continuous output of 2,840 kW (the Austrian E 18.2 even 3340 kW), it was also one of the most powerful single-frame locomotives of the time. In 1937, the BBÖ decided to procure the E 18 in a somewhat modified form as series 1870 for express train service on the Vienna-Salzburg Western Railway, which was to be electrified. After the annexation of Austria, the design was adapted again by the DRB and the 8 locomotives were built by Wiener Lokfabrik, AEG-Union and ÖSSW and put into service as E 18 201 – 208.

The locomotives were located in all electrified networks (Southern Germany, Central Germany, Silesia) and from 1938 also in Austria. The Silesian locomotives (E 18 10 – 17) were evacuated to Bavaria in early 1945, with the exception of E 18 15, which suffered a total loss in an accident.

At the end of the war, there were 36 locomotives in the southern German area, 17 of which were severely damaged. The DR West took 4 of them out of service (E 18 01, 03, 07 and 38), but ultimately repaired E 18 03 and 38 as well as the other 15 locomotives, which was equivalent to a new build. In addition, there were four locomotives that had already been taken out of service by the end of the war due to war damage. In 1953/54, the DB acquired five locomotives (E 18 24, 28, 34, 44 and 048) from the DR, which had bought them back from the Soviet Union. In 1954/55, two more locomotives were rebuilt for DB as E 18 054 and 055, the mechanical part of which was supplied by Krupp and the electrical part by AEG. This meant that the DB had 41 locomotives in its fleet. At DB, the locomotives were given the EDP-compliant series designation “118” in 1968. Until 1984, the locomotives were used primarily in their traditional area of operation, Bavaria.

In Central Germany, 11 locomotives remained at the end of the war, 6 of them severely damaged locomotives for repair at the AEG (later LEW) Hennigsdorf plant. The remaining five locomotives had to be handed over to the USSR as reparations in 1946 and were given to the DB in exchange for catenary materials and steam locomotive spare parts after their return. Of the existing 6 badly damaged locomotives, which had been moved to Velten in the meantime, three locomotives were rebuilt by 1961: E 18 19, 31 and 43 (as “E 18 40”). The others were taken out of service. At the DR, the locomotives were initially used in express service, but soon the then “Fahrzeug-Versuchs-Anstalt Halle” (later VES-M), recognized the potential of the E 18s and used them for vehicle testing at higher speeds. Finally, in 1969, they were upgraded for a speed of 180 km/h by changing the gear ratio. The E 18 40 suffered an accident during the acceptance run after this modification and was taken out of service. In its place, the DRG class E 18 31, which was not originally intended, was rebuilt in 1970. The two locomotives were mainly used for special purposes, but occasionally also in regular service; they were not retired until after 1990, and both remain in service.

In Austria, or rather at the Austrian Federal Railroad, the E 18 201-208 (which were re-designated as 1018.01-05 and 06-08) and the two DRB locomotives E 18 42 and 046 remained, of which the E 18 206 and 046 suffered the most severe damage. The E 18 046 was rebuilt with electrical parts of the E 18.2 and put into service as 1018.101. The E 18 42 was given the ÖBB number 1118.01. In the mid-1960s, all 1018/1118s were thoroughly overhauled and their exteriors were changed. 1018.101 was already retired in 1980 due to its loner existence, followed in 1986/87 by 1018.01, 03 and 1118. 01. The others served in the Linz depot until 1992, 1018.05 became an ÖBB nostalgia locomotive.