It was built primarily with heavy passenger trains in mind, but was also intended to handle goods traffic.

The first of the two trials locomotives to be manufactured was equipped with a mechanical stoker for lump coal.

The engines did not go into full production however, because the DR Class 23.10 had been designed and built.

The two engines were mainly stationed at Arnstadt, where they hauled passenger trains to Weimar, Saalfeld, Erfurt and Meiningen.

However the numerous cracks in the plate frame often required repair and the locomotives were frequently out of service.