Product Features and Details
Prototype: The Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft purchased these standard small class I locomotives as early as the 1930's to take on light shunting duties on freight and mail stations. The locomotives built by the locomotive manufacturers Dautz, Gmeinder and Windhoff were given the designation Ko, a name derived from their construction as small locomotives with diesel oil drive. Since they were only intended for light shunting duties, deliveries and service duties at depots, a power output of 39 hp and a maximum speed of 23 km/h were sufficient. Their simple design and uncomplicated handling properties for the shunting workers led to the purchase of more than 1200 locomotives by 1938. Both German rail companies were still using the class I Ko locomotives for light shunting duties at the beginning of the 1970's.
In the years of reconstruction after WW II the DB made good use of the main advantages of the small diesel shunter as compared with the steam locomotive, i.e. immediate availability and one - man operation.
