The 01 class was first built in 1925 as a completely new generation of locomotives for the then Deutsche Reichsbahn. Its elegant lines were an attractive change from many locos that had so far been built and marked the beginning of a new era of German locomotive design. The locomotive had a two-cylinder power unit which gave it 2240 psi and a top speed of 120 km/h. Coupled to a tender of the 2-2-T32 type it could carry 10 tonnes of coal and 32 cubic metres of water. The length over buffers was 23,935 mm. Locomotive 01 005 - the oldest locomotive of the 01 class still maintained in its original condition - is now kept at the Dresden Transport Museum.