■ In burgundy red paintwork with DB AG logos ■ With separately attached plug-in parts, some using etching technology ■ Matches the Halberstadt carriages, item no. 74807, 74808, 74809, 74810 ■ In digital operation with switchable headlights or tail lights and driver's cab lighting The progressive electrification of the DR route network required the development of a four-axle electric locomotive in the early 1980s. The 243 series is a universal electric locomotive of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, which evolved from the test locomotive 212 001-2 and is used in all train operating areas. The DR purchased over 600 of these. With the merger of the East German and West German state railways, the Class 243 locomotives were taken over into the DB AG fleet. There they were incorporated as Class 143.