A total of 17 locomotives were bought by the DR between 1954 and 1956 for the railways of the Harzquerbahn and Brockenbahn, and for the line from Eisfeld to Schönbrunn to replace much of the outdated fleet.

The locomotives of the first series were subsequently modified with Beugniot levers, some in the early 1960s, others in 1973/74 (on the Harz lines).

These Neubaulokomotiven were a fully welded development of the standard locomotives (Einheitsloks) of the DRG Class 99.22.

10 locomotives (99 7232, 7240, 7245, 7239, 7236, 7234, 7237, 7241, 7243, 7247) were equipped from 2004 onward with a redesigned plate frame and 5 of those (99 7232, 7240, 7245, 7239, 7236) with new, welded steam cylinders.

The computer numbers are still valid because the HSB retains those allocated in the 1970 DR renumbering scheme.