They were initially procured for the Berlin Stadtbahn routes, in order to replace the older 2-4-0T and 0-4-2T locomotives which were no longer powerful enough.
In 1934, the range of numbers from 71 001 to 71 006 was re-used for the standard locomotives (Einheitslokomotiven) of the DRG Class 71.0.
In World War II four T 5.1 engines from Poland (ex-PKP class OKe1) were recorded as 71 7001–7004 in the Reichsbahn fleet, but the locomotives did not carry those numbers.
However the T 5.2s were less suited to running cab first due to the lack of a trailing axle and the large driving wheels, and so their employment was restricted to the Berlin ring.
One of the two engines, which had both been converted to superheated working, remained in the ownership of the Deutsche Reichsbahn in East Germany until 1955.
But they ended up being used on the line between Frankfurt and Heidelberg, because difficulties occurred on the steep sections of the route.
The T 5s of the Lower Elbe Railway Company were passenger tank locomotives with a 2-4-2T wheel arrangement.