The Henschel-Wegmann train was an initiative of the German locomotive construction industry, intended to be able to demonstrate a powerful steam locomotive-hauled train alongside the emerging express diesel multiple units, such as the Hamburg Flyer.

In order to be able to attain the high running performance aimed at, locomotives and coaches were designed to be especially light, albeit the coal and water supplies still had to be sufficient for a one-way trip on the planned route.

The water tank tapered at the front and gave the engine driver and stoker a good all-round view of the line.

However, it was pushed to complete the short turnaround allowed in Dresden because the locomotive had to turn around and fill up on coal and water.

From 1943 to the war's end, the Reichsbahn repair shop (Reichsbahnsausbesserungswerk or RAW) at Braunschweig was responsible for the engine.

Locomotive 61 001 found itself in the British Zone at the end of the war and was allocated to Bw Hannover, but seldom used.

It was converted in 1961 by the DR in East Germany in RAW Meiningen to a fast experimental locomotive with a tender and reclassified as 18 201.