The locomotives of the E 41 series (from 1968: 141) were first delivered to the Deutsche Bundesbahn in 1956 for light and mixed service on main lines, with a maximum speed of 120 km/h and a continuous power output of 2,310 kW. As the only series of the standard locomotive program, they were equipped with a switching device on the low-voltage side of the transformer. This switching device produced a characteristic noise, which, along with the significant traction force jumps, led to the nickname "Knallfrosch" (firecracker). Starting in 1987, the locomotives were painted in an orientation red color.