DB locomotive classification
Originally, both Deutsche Bundesbahn and Deutsche Reichsbahn continued the classification system of the Deutsche Reichsbahn (DRG) – see also a short overview of the numbering system of the German railways. When UIC introduced a new classification system that could be processed by the computers of the late 1960s, DB did a major modification of their system, effective 1 January 1968. This system is still in use and now includes the engines of the former GDR railways as well. (See List of Deutsche Bahn AG locomotives and railbuses for a current list.) Basics. Since January 1, 1968, all vehicles  are identified by a seven-digit vehicle number that consists of a three-digit class number, a three-digit serial number, and a check digit, the latter separated by a dash. Series with more than 1,000 vehicles are assigned ascending class numbers. The first digit of the class number denotes the vehicle type using a scheme that is summarized in the following table, along with the corresponding letters from the DRG vehicle type scheme. While the DRG scheme was officially superseded by the current scheme, it can still be found in informal writing and conversation: for example, "E110" is equivalent  to "E10" and "110", and "V216" is equivalent to "V160" and "216". The check digit is used to verify the accuracy of the first six digits and is calculated as follows: Tenders are not assigned a number because they are regarded a part of the vehicle to which they are coupled. Cab cars and intermediate cars of multiple units receive the numbers 8 if they belong to an EMU, 9 if they belong to a DMU. If another powered car or engine is present in the multiple unit, its serial number usually is offset by 500, but it is still  assigned into the original class. Examples. A two-car Class 628 DMU: A class 420 commuter EMU: Steam locomotives. See also: DRG locomotive classification for the origins of the system. The number 0 was assigned to steam locomotives, as their end of duty was already foreseeable. The schematics are largely derivative of the DRG system of classification, therefore like in the older system the class numbers were grouped by locomotive types: Steam locomotives that had been converted to oil fuelling received separate class numbers from their coal-fuelled counterparts, e. g. oil-fuelled units from the old class 44 were  assigned to class 043 while coal-fuelled ones were assigned to class 044 under the new numbering plan. The DRB Class 50 (with originally more than 3,000 units, of which DB still had more than 1,000 by the end of 1967) gave rise to BR 050, 051, 052 and 053. A noteworthy change from the old system was that four-digit engine numbers were no longer possible. Locomotives with such a number would either be put into an overflow class (e. g. "50 3097" became "053 097-2") or have their number abbreviated to three digits. The latter solution could  lead to number conflicts in cases where the original (sub)class had comprised more than 1,000 units. These were dealt with by adjusting one of the numbers involved, e. g., "38 3711" became "038 711-8" while "38 1711" became "038 710-0". This also means that for some classes it is not possible to reconstruct the old number from the new one in a purely systematic way. The last steam locomotives in the Deutsche Bundesbahn were decommissioned on 26 October 1977 at "Rheine und Emden" locomotive depot ("Bahnbetriebswerk" or "Bw"). These were the 043 903, 043 315 and 043 196  . Electric engines. Electric engines were considered the most important method of traction, and hence were assigned the number 1. They usually were relabelled by replacing the letter "E" with the number "1". For example, the "Einheits-Elektrolokomotiven" were relabelled from E 40 into 140, E 10 into 110 and E 10.12 into 112. Diesel engines. In the pre-1968 scheme, diesel engines were assigned the letter "V" (as in the German term "Verbrennungsmotor" for combustion engine). The old numbers were directly proportional with the engine power, so that two- and three-digit codes existed. Two-digit codes were transposed one by  one (Examples: Class V60 became Class 260, Class V80 became Class 280). Three digit codes generally lost their last digit (V 160 became DB Class 216). Variants of the previously same class were also assigned individual subclasses, the V 160 family, consisting of V 160, V 160 long (V 160.3, V 168), V 162, V 164 and V 169 were assigned the numbers 210, 215, 216, 217, 218 and 219, for example.) Small locomotives. Small shunting locomotives were assigned the number "3". The second number indicates the engine power (according to 1955 standards). The third number differentiates between brakes and  transmission (chain drive or Cardan shafts). Small locomotives of the former Ka series were given the new class numbers 381 (pre-war models) and 382 (new models). The existing narrow gauge locomotives of the Wangerooge Island Railway became Class 329. In 1987 the DB Class 260/261 were also assigned to the small locomotives and labelled as Class 360/361.