To increase speeds in passenger train services, the Deutsche Bundesbahn developed the E03 series in the 1960s. The prototype locomotives E03 001 to E03 004 were available from 1965. These locomotives, designated as 103 001 to 103 004 from 1968, differed from the series machines built from 1970 in several details. A particularly noticeable feature of the series locomotives was the second fan row. The main areas of operation for the beige/red painted locomotives were the TEE and IC/EC services. Starting in 1987, the locomotives were gradually painted in the orient red color, with various design versions applied. In 1997, the star of the former "Starloks" of the DB began to fade. They were replaced by the BR 101. Scheduled service ended in 2003, but the locomotives 103 001, 103 113, and 103 245, which are under the DB Museum, are still used sporadically.