Product Features and Details
Prototype: At the beginning of the 1980's the DR & CSD decided to purchase a dual system locomotive for the 15kv/16 2/3 Hz and 3kv DC together to facilitate the traffic on the section Dresden - Decin - Prague. On Feb. 25, 1988 the prototype 230-001, which was constructed by Skoda in Pilsen, was put into service by the DR. The remaining 19 locomotives started to be used in Feb. of 1991 and are stationed in the BW Dresden depot. From 1992 on, the locomotives were classified as construction series 180 and were used on freight and passenger train services in the Dresden area, to the Czech Republic, as well as Berlin and Poland. After the section between Dresden and Berlin was extended for 160 km/h trains, the 180's top speed of only 120 km/h started to become a handicap. As a consequence, the 180-001 bacame an experimental vehicle, and was converted to achieve a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Currently, the DB AG is considering taking the entire series out of service because there are enough new locomotives that could take on the jobs of the 180's.
