1116 282, the very last locomotive, got a number plate during its maiden run.

me inspecting details on 1116 043...:)

In 2005, 1116 001 performed trial runs equipped with European Train Control System ECTS, and was at that time not approved for regular services in Austria. ECTS has been removed now.

The OBB 1116 series are being used for regular services into Germany, al the way up to Hamburg in the North. 1116 035-059 are therefore equipped with German 'zeitmultiplexe Wendezugsteuerung' (ZWS) systems. This makes it possible to operate these machines from driver-trailers, so they can be used for push-pull services.

1116 100 during special event where it was moved by hundreds of 1:87 scale models

All 1016 and 1116 series locomotives have been delivered in a plain and simple livery: a Ferrari-red painted body with dark grey frames. There was some criticism on this choice of colours, as it didn't show much creativity, especially when one compared it to older OBB series such as the 1012, 1014 and 1163 series. However, the distinctive design of the machine it self, compensates a lot.

On every side, a large ‘Pflatsch’ logo was applied. On the left of both entry-doors a small Taurus logo is applied on the frame. On the grey frames all technical inscriptions, markings and numbers were placed. The red body is free from annotations, except for both fronts, as service numbers had to be placed on the red cab noses of the machines, aligned to the right. In 2000, locomotives 1016 004, 005, 009, 012, 021 and 1116 029, carried a smaller additional ‘Pflatsch’ logo up front. 1016 012 got it again in 2002.

In 2002 however, the OBB introduced a new corporate identity, fitting their new identity of a modern European rail operator better. In June 2002 the OBB presented its first refurbished passenger coaches and locomotives with new logos. 1016 038 and 1116 021 were the lucky ones to be the first to have their large wide side logos replaced by new ones, also in white in the exact same place. Also up front, logos were applied and therefore the service numbers had to move and to become smaller. They can now be found in the upper right corner.

At that moment, the delivery of the 1116 series was still on its way. From 1116 095 up wards all machines were delivered with the new corporate markings. The machines already delivered had to change their appearance. It took two years for the OBB to replace all old logos on 1016 001-050 and 1116 001-094. The very last one to receive them was locomotive 1116 016, which left the work shops on 16.12.2005. The transition from old to new corporate logos resulted in some remarkable mixed designs. 1016 030 and 1116 062-065 and 069 ran around carrying old style logos only on both sides. 1116 087 still had its old logos and service numbers, when an extra new logo was put up front.

1116 001-069, 075 and 113 were delivered with both Siemens and KraussMaffei markings, perforated in their frame ends up front and on every side. The other machines only carry the name Siemens. This changed because the manufacturer of these machines changed its name in September 2001 from Siemens-KraussMaffei to Siemens after the latter one had increased its share in the total company from 25 to 75%. This of course has to be visible on the products right away! As the crash elements are replaced by new ones quite often, more machines will have only Siemens markings up front by now.

As for all ES64U2 type machines, Siemens had to replace the GFK roof tops of all 1016s and 1116s, which started in 2006.

Along the years, special markings have been applied for speical occassions. An overview of all machines that on some way or another did look a little different from the rest:

This sub section implies that the dream the OBB once had, setting up a large pool for locomotives, available for rental or leasing to other operators, did come true after all. This is only partially true. Fact is that the OBB manages a considerable over dimensioned fleet (they are able to rent out 25 machines right away!), most other operators suffer from the scarcity of locomotive traction, and a solution seems rather simple. But it seems that the OBB only has 1116 series machines available for other operators of they are no direct opponent to the OBB or agree on not to become one when using these red machines.

Siemens Dispolok
At the end of 2003, Siemens Dispolok did not have enough ES 64 U2 locomotives available to serve all its customers. Until enough units from the batch ES 64 U2 033-052 were delivered, 5 units were rented from the OBB. 1116 061-065 were selected and got Dispolok logos. In 2004 all were returned to the OBB. In December 2005 Dispolok again rented three machines, 1116 066-068, for one month. The looks of these machines did not change.

GySEV
Instead of ordering five extra 1047.5 series locomotives, operator GySEV decided to lease five similar machines from the OBB, for a period of 10 years. Again 1116 061-065 were selected, decorated with GySEV logos adn equipped with the Hungarian EVM signalling system. In May 2005 they started with their revenue services. In May 2007, the 1116 062 crashed and had to be scrapped. The OBB provided GySEV with a replacement: 1116 060. it got GySEV logos in July 2007, EVM was installed in November/December 2008. Since March 2009, two more machines were hired to GySEV; 1116 058 and 059. Both have the GySEV logos.

DB Bahn
During the FIFA soccer world championships 2006, DB Bahn needed extra locomotives to transport all the soccer fans. In June and July 2006, 25 different units were in service of the DB continiously. They got an internal designation; 116/117 series. No special logos were applied.

DB Schenker
September-December was a very busy period for DB Schenker in 2006 and 2007. They requested the OBB to assist with extra electrics. In 2006, 1116 248-249, 251-259, 261-263, 267 were in service of DB Schenker. In 2007, 1116 248-249, 252-255, 257-259, 261-263, 265-266, 272 were selected.

ITL/CSKD Intrans
Open access operator is hiring 1116 233-234 since April 2007. In May 2007, 1116 235-238 joined to ITL fleet too. 1116 239 joined when the 1116 235 was damaged, this happened in September 2007.

MÁV Cargo > Rail Cargo Hungaria
Rail Cargo Austria, freight operator and subsidiary of the OBB, took over its competitor from Hunagry, MÁV Cargo, in January 2008. Since 2009 this has consequences for the fleet of MÁV Cargo. Gradually, the OBB is providing its new subsidiary with modern Taurus locomotives. In April 2009, 1116 015 and 016 were the first two to move to Hungary. Both got new blue MÁV Cargo adhesives.

In October 2009, MÁV Cargo operated 1116 009-016, 018-020. On 17.10.2009, 1116 019 crashed onto a car and one cab was destroyed by fire, so it was removed from the fleet and stored in Linz. In December 2009, the new 1116 017II was outshopped in Linz and joined the fleet. In 2010, MÁV Cargo is renamed Rail Cargo Hungaria.

In 2008, the Austrian federal railways, OBB, introduced a new standard in long distance travelling: the RailJet. Taurus locomotives of all types will haul brand new push-and-pull train sets setting new standards on comfort and ambiance. Siemens will built a total of 66 new sets of 7 coaches. First will be ready at the end of August 2007 for test and promotion purposes.

With this plan, the OBB breaks with the general trend in Europe to use (highspeed) trainsets for premium concepts. As there is already a considerable number of high-speed locomotives available, this choice seems to make sense. Railjet services will run on conventional networks, with top speeds up to 200 kph. The Taurus locomotives could boost this top speed up to 230 kph.

With introduction of Railjet, the OBB will also create a new brand, a new identity, already starting in 2007. Design agency Spirit Design was requested to develop the concepts for both interior and exterior design. For the exterior, three different concept were selected, to be experimented with on 1:1 scale! Then the OBB customers was given the opportunity to vote for their favourite, that then would become the basis for the final concept…

choice is yours!
In March 2007 therefore three locomotives were selected at Linz workshops. 1016 034 and 035 were around as they needed a regular service check-up, and 1116 200 was called-in because its promotional livery (Semmering 200) had to be removed. They all got Railjet repaints, each representing a different Spirit design concept. 1016 034 and 035 both got a base base colour, with grey/white and grey/red striping respectively. 1116 200 got a bordeaux-red base colour with grey/red striping. They also got names, Spirit of Salzburg, Spirit of Linz and Spirit of Vienna, probably not a coincidence that these names refer to the creator of their new looks…

1016 034 and 035 were first seen in their new livery on 28.03.2007, 1116 200 five days later. Newspaper Krone opened up a poll at its website where its readers could vote for what they thought was the best design for the future Railjet concept. At 19.05.2007 the final results were published, and the 1116 200 won the competition, although it was a very close call with 1016 035, only having 52 votes more (6.349 vs 6.297 …). The design of 034 came in third. Per April 2007 all three machines were used for regular services by the OBB, promoting the new Railjet name. Additional slogans ‘ab 2008’ were added.

Trial phase
After the design competition the OBB started with preparing a batch of 23 units for its RailJet services; 1116 201-223. All to be repainted, equipped with a third pantograph, the Swiss (ZUB/Integra) and Hungarian (EVM) safety systems and with extra silver painted aerodynamic panels between the bogies. First engine that got the RailJet design was 1116 201, completed in April 2008. This engine served as prototype and was used for the first trials in Austria. 1116 204 was the first to be spotted with the aerodynamic panels, but it was not repainted at that time. It was also the first one seen with a third pantograph.

1116 215 and 205 were number two and three to be repainted. 1116 215 was presented in Graz with a rake of brand new Railjet coaches. The Railjet electrics were the first Taurus machines that got a NVR service number.

In September 2009, the RailJet was presented at Innotrans 2008 in Berlin. 1116 201 ran to Berlin on its own power. By that time the machine was optically a complete Railjet unit, as extra silver painted aerodynamic panels were added in the mean time. Note that on the picture, a third pantograph is still missing.

By the end of October 2008, 1116 203 was the fourth machine to be repainted, and it was the first one with ZUB/Integra and EVM.

Regular service
On 14.12.2008 first RailJet revenue services started, between Budapest and Vienna. At that moment, 1116 203, 204, 205, 208, 214, 215, 218 and 223 were adjusted and availabe for service.

The refitting of the last locomotive of the batch of 23, 1116 213, was completed in August 2009. By then only the package of prototype 1116 201 still had to be completed.

In 2010, the OBB prepared the second batch of 1116s for RailJet services. This time 20 units are involved: 1116 224 to 243 (including the former ITL units). They did not get the silver covers between the bogies and no additional packages for international services, they will remain normal 1116s for services in Germany and Austria only.

As for all means of transport, accidents occur in railway transport every day. With 332 machines on their way everyday, Taurus locomotives are often involved in Austria. Most accidents result in relatively small damage, somethimes the locomotive is not even affected at all! The 1x16 series have special crash buffers to adsorb energy by a crash. They often prevent the machines to be damaged more seriously. However, despite all safety measurements nowadays, still things can go terribly wrong. The human factor is still a big risk. This sub section describes locomotives that had to be put aside or even scrapped afeter an accident.

1116 017 / 06.02.2007 - Collided onto a freight train with 100 kph at Szöny, between Budapest and Vienna. The driver was killed. For 60% completely destroyed. The machine was returned to Austria on 25.02.2007, where it finally was strored on the OBB work shops of Linz. All re-usable parts were taken out and used for 1116 017 II.

1116 062 / 18.05.2007 - The unmanned 1116 062 (at that moment on hire to the GySEV) crashed down a mountainside, after derailing in a curved track section with a speed of 150 kph. The destiny of 1116 062 is unknown, first a thorough investigation has to be done to find out who was responsible for this very curious accident and the economic feasibility of repairing the machine. It's recovery from the steep and wooded mountainside already required a serious amount of money, comparable with the price for a whole new locomotive... 1116 060 was selected to replace the 062 in service of the GySEV.

1116 235 / 19.06.2007 - This machine was not so badly damaged as the two previous ones, but is mentioned as it was on hire to another oprator at the time. ITL was using the machine, while it frontally collided with Railion 145 020 in the German town of Dörwalde. ITL got replacement right away; 1116 239.

1116 173 / 16.06.2010 - The 173 derailed and was knocked over on a curvious single track section in Ausserbraz (AT) with a car transport train, climbing down the Alpes and heading for France. The exact cause is unknown to us but the train could not brake anymore and the driver lost control of the train. It was only a matter of time before the complete convoy was destroyed.

Body no. 21629 was used first and its completion took almost a year. In December 2009 it was outshopped in Linz as 1116 017 (II).