Automatic translation. Original text in: EN - show original Among other electric and diesel locomotives, VEB Lokomotivbau-Elektrotechnische Werke "Hans Beimler" (LEW) near Berlin built a considerable number of small battery-powered switchers, both standard-gauge (factory type EL16) and narrow-gauge (EL9). These units, simple and versatile, are used mainly at railway depots and some industrial plants, especially those with inherent fire and explosion hazards (in a way they are successors to fireless steam engines).

Type EL16 appeared in 1966 and enjoyed a long production run, being phased out only in 1990. There are four distinct variants, differing only in details built in total in 513x units. Initial production locomotives go to East German railways DR, which designated them ASF (for ‘Akkuschleppfahrzeug’, literally ‘battery-powered towing vehicle’) – this name is later adopted for those used by some other operators, also outside Germany, and is commonly accepted as the type designation. They are assigned to depots throughout the country. DR service numbers eventually went up to ASF 163, but several numbers are used twice, as individual examples are transferred from DR to various industrial plants and vice versa. In fact, German industry took over more examples than DR did.

EL16 is a light two-axle vehicle, weighting only 12 tonnes in working order. Capacity of the batteries, which yield 110 volts, is sufficient for one working day in typical conditions, so that they may be charged overnight. Maximum available tractive effort is four tonnes and the locomotive can haul a 200-tonne draft.

A number of EL16s are exported, mainly to Poland; export to other countries is marginal and included one locomotive for Hungary and three for Czechoslovakia. First Polish ASF is 13382/1973, assigned to the Kluczbork depot. Deliveries continued almost until the production is terminated, last unit being 20675/1990, and totalled 132 locomotives – two more were not delivered and finally went to Leuna Werke of Merseburg. Last five Polish ASFs are built for the 1524 mm track and went to the LHS broad-gauge line or transfer stations at the eastern border. / Sources: http://www.locomotives.com.pl/Electric%20Locomotives/ASF.htm