In order to be able to increase the weight of the ore trains on the Erzbergbahn, two heavy rack locomotives with a 2-12-2RT wheel arrangement were put into service in 1942. They were initially planned as class 369 of the BBÖ, but were now incorporated directly into the Reichsbahn as class 974. At that time they were the most powerful rack locomotives in the world, but due to the lack of reinforcement of the rack rail on the north ramp of the Erzbergbahn they could only be used on the south ramp. The 97 402 was put out of service in 1949. The 97 401 became the 297.401 at the BBÖ in 1953. It received a Giesl ejector in 1958 and was retired in 1968. 