From 1936, within the building programme for the German National Raiways (DRG), the BR 41 class of "standard" locomotives was developed for fast good trains. During the trial period the BR 41 received the nickname "Ox loco" because it was used for hauling fast cattle trains. Subsequntly, a total of 366 of the BR 41 locomotives were built, split among almost all the German locomotive builders. The BR 41 was designed as a so-called multi-purpose locomotive. In addition to its proper application - hauling express goods trains - its maximum speed of 90km/h enabled it to be used for fast and even express passenger trains.