“The ‘Pants Crease’—or more prosaically, the E10.3—remains one of the most iconic locomotive classes of the German Federal Railroad. Few types defined the railroad’s golden era of the 1960s as strongly as these elegant, aerodynamically styled machines.

The E10’s impressive success story began in the 1950s, when the newly established German Federal Railroad accelerated electrification and ordered large numbers of a powerful, fast electric locomotive. The first production series (E10.0 and E10.1) still featured the standard, angular body shape. But in 1962, the first units with streamlined ends appeared. Their distinctive crease running across the front quickly earned the class E10.3 the nickname Bügelfalte—the ‘Pants Crease.’

For decades, the E10 served as the workhorse of the DB’s premium passenger services, and the ‘Pants Crease’ variants became true stars of the German rails. Beginning in 1990, the class transitioned into regional service, where it continued to perform reliably. The last ‘Pants Crease’ locomotives were finally retired in 2013, having accumulated many millions of kilometers in service.”

Prototype: German Federal Railroad (DB) class E10.3 electric locomotive. Locomotive body includes aerodynamic ends, the so-called Pants Crease with continuous ventilation band, continuous rain gutter, and grab irons on the ends. Buffer cladding and skirting included. Steel blue locomotive body with stone gray frame. Road number E10 384. The locomotive looks as it did around 1967.

Highlights

• Detailed type DBS 54 pantographs, without a visible mounting.
• Pantographs can be raised and lowered digitally.
• Cab lighting can be controlled digitally.
• Close couplers with guide mechanisms.
• World of Operation mfx+ digital decoder with extensive light and sound functions.
• Buffer capacitor included to bridge over short areas without current.
• Buffer height conforms to the NEM.

Model: The locomotive has an mfx+ digital decoder and extensive light and sound functions. It also has controlled, high-efficiency propulsion with a flywheel, centrally mounted. All four axles powered using cardan shafts. Traction tires. Triple headlights and dual red marker lights change over with the direction of travel, will work in conventional operation, and can be controlled digitally. The headlights / marker lights at Locomotive Ends 2 and 1 can be turned off separately in digital operation. There is a double A light function. Cab lighting can be controlled digitally. Maintenance-free, warm white and red LEDs are used for the lighting. A buffer capacitor is included.

The roof equipment is detailed with DBS 54 pantographs. The pantographs can be raised and lowered digitally. The buffer height conforms to the NEM. The close couplers have guide mechanisms. Brake lines, heating lines, and prototype couplers are included separately for installation on the locomotive.

Length over the buffers 18.9 cm / 7-7/16.