Electric locomotive 144 507 of the Deutsche Bundesbahn.

The procurement of the Class E 44.1 locomotives, later referred to as Class E 44.5 from 1938, originated from an initiative by the German locomotive industry. This model was a follow-up to the test locomotive E 44 101, built in 1930 by Maffei-Schwartzkopff-Werke and Berliner Maschinenbau AG, and marked a further development of the Class E 75. The 144 507 was from the second series with newly developed, more powerful traction motors and a longer frame. Around 1970, the large old signal lanterns were replaced with more miniature DB standard lanterns on all locomotives, and the pantographs were upgraded to versions with a pendulum rocker and double contact shoe. Apart from brief assignments outside the main line from Salzburg to Freilassing to Berchtesgaden, the locomotives successfully served for 50 years on the demanding mountain railway. In the summer timetable of 1979, the 144.5 was even used for the IC 511 "Chiemgau". This highlights the high regard in which the locomotives were held by the operating, maintenance, and administrative departments. Three E 44.5 locomotives have been preserved as museum locomotives to this day.