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Description
For those who don't know, DR 18 201 is a German 4-6-2 built in 1960 in Meiningen, East Germany. It is equipped with 90 in. driving wheels, holds the title of the world's fastest operational steam locomotive and is the only member of its class ever built. Now, you would think that a unique locomotive that could rival the famous Gresley A4s in speed and performance would be primarily used on the finest, top-line German expresses, right? WRONG! It was primarily used for testing coaches at high speed. Testing...empty...rolling stock! Seriously? I mean, I get that most of Europe was running on diesel and electric engines by the 1960s, but still, why not just build a high speed diesel or electric for that purpose? What a waste of what could've been one of the greatest express locomotives ever made alongside the aforementioned A4s.

Description
For those who don't know, DR 18 201 is a German 4-6-2 built in 1960 in Meiningen, East Germany. It is equipped with 90 in. driving wheels, holds the title of the world's fastest operational steam locomotive and is the only member of its class ever built. Now, you would think that a unique locomotive that could rival the famous Gresley A4s in speed and performance would be primarily used on the finest, top-line German expresses, right? WRONG! It was primarily used for testing coaches at high speed. Testing...empty...rolling stock! Seriously? I mean, I get that most of Europe was running on diesel and electric engines by the 1960s, but still, why not just build a high speed diesel or electric for that purpose? What a waste of what could've been one of the greatest express locomotives ever made alongside the aforementioned A4s.