The T 141 was developed from the T 14 in order to eliminate the greatest weaknesses of this basically well-designed tank locomotive. It was built in larger numbers than its predecessor and after the founding of the Reichsbahn it was also procured by the Prussian directorates. In addition, the Württemberg State Railways put a larger number of these engines into service as T 14 to replace locomotives lost in World War I. Its power was sufficient to tow 700 tonnes on the flat at a maximum speed of 65 km/h. 530 tonnes could still be towed at 30 km/h on a gradient of ine percent.
The biggest point of criticism of the T 14 was the high axle load of the leading axle, on the basis of which one wanted to distribute the load further to the rear. Since the range was also considered to be in need of improvement, the supplies were increased. However, adding a few tonnes of weight behind the cab had the opposite effect, as 19.1 tonnes now weighed on the rear axle. Since this was not justifiable for operation on secondary routes, the water box below the coal box was not used in operation and the axle load was thus reduced to 17.4 tonnes.
Production began in 1918 directly with the discontinuation of production of the T 14, but further examples were also made by nine other manufacturers. Including the 39 engines from Württemberg, 768 examples were built before production stopped in 1924. Shortly thereafter, the renumbering followed, in which all engines were given a uniform number range from 93 501 to 93 1261. In service with the two German states in the post-war period, the locomotives on both sides were given computer compatible numbers, but the Bundesbahn retired them in the same year, i.e. in 1968. The last examples were used by the Reichsbahn for another four years.