Express train steam locomotive 01 508 of the railway company of the German Democratic Republic (Deutsche Reichsbahn).

Drive on two axles of the tender and via cardan shaft on all three powered axles of the locomotive.

■ Design with boxpok wheels and a circumferential apron
■ Coal-fired
■ Fine metal wheelsets
■ Retrofittable smoke generator

Due to the partially poor condition of the 01 class, the Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR) feared that they would have fewer and fewer locomotives available for express trains. For this reason, the decision was made to reconstruct the 01, which for the DR also meant an increase in performance and the removal of faults, which proved particularly successful in this locomotive class. The new, welded boiler received a third safety valve. All boiler superstructures were panelled, the driver’s cab was modernised and the Witte smoke deflectors were made to slant at the front. Because the coupled wheelsets had to be replaced due to spoke breakages, some locomotives were equipped with boxpok wheels made from cast steel. This made the Reko-01 become one of the most powerful express train steam locomotives of the post-war period.