From 1937 to 1949 numerous European locomotive builders produced a total of 1,989 units of the class 44, known as the "Jumbo". In 1958 Henschel in Cassel, Germany, converted the first units to oil firing to increase their efficiency. They differ in appearance from the units with a coal bunker in the longer bunker for oil on the tender. These oil fired locomotives were reclassified in 1968 as the 043 and worked in heavy freight service into the 1970s. On October 26, 1977, the oil fired 043 903 definitively ended the steam locomotive era on the German Federal Railroad.
German Federal Railroad class 043 with oil tender. With digital decoder and controlled high-efficiency propulsion. Headlights digitally controlled. 5 axles powered. 4 traction tires. Driving divided into 2 coupled groups enabling unit to negotiate sharp curves. Adjustable close coupling between locomotive and tender. Standard coupler pocket at the front, close coupler with guide mechanism on the tender. Length over buffers 26.0 cm (10-1/4"). Equipped for installation of smoke generator.
