The 127 001-6 was completed in 1992, representing the best Siemens and KraussMaffei had to offer at that moment regarding modern locomotive technology. It was fast and powerful and could be used for both passenger and freight trains. It was built anticipating on the German railways (Deutsch Bahn) planning to order a new generation of multi-purpose electrics to rejuvenate their fleet. But several economical and political developments (such as the unification of Germany and a reorganization during which the DB was split up in different departments) forced the DB to reconsider its fleet strategy.