The 218 class has shaped the image of the German Federal Railway and Deutsche Bahn over the last five decades like no other diesel locomotive before it. From 1971, a total of 398 series locomotives were put into service and used to pull both passenger and freight trains. They achieved a top speed of 140 km/h with a power output of 1,840 kW.
The 218 class has included several colour variations over the years. The first 218s were delivered in the crimson colour scheme typical for diesel locomotives.
