But let’s start at the beginning, way back in the 80s. Nowadays we talk about locomotive manufacturers being global players, but for the origin of the EuroSprinter and EuroRunner family’s one can limit oneself to Germany only. At that time the West-German national railways (or Deutsche Bundesbahn) was exploring the possibilities for a new generation of modern electrics to renew its fleet, mainly consisting out of machines built and constructed in the 50s en 60s. At that moment the DB considered a multi purpose super locomotive being the best solution for the near future. A three-phase current propulsion system would be the basis for the performances desired. The German industry already gave their common vision on such a technically advanced machine, to be used for both passenger and freight services with the introduction of 'Baureihe 120' prototypes in 1979. The DB decided to order a batch of 'only' 60 slightly evolved machines, designated 'Baureihe 120.1', as they were not satisfied yet with the reliability of the machines and because its construction still proved to be too experimental to provide a solid base for a new generation. The new three phase current propulsion system proved its potency, but mechanically the concept should be taken a step beyond. This finally resulted in 'Projekt 121' on which the gradually reforming German manufacturers all decided to give their own vision. Siemens (electrical equipment) and KraussMaffei (mechanical part) joined forces for this challenge and developed a brand new prototype machine, built in 1990. They incorporated all knowledge from their latest project for the Spanish railways, the Renfe 'S/252' series, being the basis for both construction and design of their vision.

The Siemens/KraussMaffei vision took shape between March 1991 and September 1992. Then the pink and silver painted 'godfather' of all electrics, represented in this section, had its maiden run. The machine got DB service number '127 001' and was nicknamed 'EuroSprinter', a name proudly showing on both sides of the locomotive. Although the initial motivation for the development of this machine (Projekt 121) never resulted in an actual order, Siemens and KraussMaffei succeeded in making the 'EuroSprinter' brand a representative mark for modern and high quality locomotive products, nowadays running thoughout Europe and even beyond.

At this moment the EuroSprinter family is in its third generation, now being a flexible and modular platform able to cope with different track gauges, the four most important catenary systems in Europe and able to haul convoys with speeds up to 230 kph. Since 2006, the familiy even incorporates the world's fastest single body electric of the moment, which reached a top speed of 357 kph, without major changes in respect to the serie production of its base type.