Because the riding qualities of the Class 98.10 were still not good enough to raise the speed of branch line (Lokalbahn) trains in Bavaria significantly, the Reichsbahn decided in 1934 to rebuild a Class GtL 4/4 engine (no.
After trials with the locomotive had proved successful, it was decided to modify another 26 engines by 1939 and to allocate them to a new locomotive class.
The permitted top speed of the rebuilds could be raised to 55 km/h, compared with 40 km/h for the GtL 4/4 and 45 km/h for the Class 98.10.
Apart from 98 1108, which went to the DR in East Germany, they all went into the Deutsche Bundesbahn.
The East German engine was retired in 1967; those in the West between 1960 and 1968.