The two members of the class 10 were express locomotives that were built for the Bundesbahn in 1957 and represented the pinnacle in the development of German steam locomotives. Although they performed well and had an eye-catching appearance, it remained with the two prototypes and a service life of only eleven years due to the switch to diesel and electric traction.

According to the time, a welded boiler was used as in other new steam locomotives and the frame was no longer designed as a bar frame, but also made of welded sheet metal. The 10 001 was initially fired with coal via a mechanical stoker, supported by additional oil firing. The 10 002 was equipped with an oil main firing ex works and the first example was later converted to the same form. In contrast to earlier streamlined locomotives, the machines were not completely clad, but only received partial cladding in the lower area and a pointed smoke box door. In some cases, power measurements reach up to 3,000 hp and the consumption figures were better than with all other steam locomotives. However, the disadvantage of this powerful construction was that the axle load reached 22.8 tonnes and was therefore too high for a large part of the lines at that time.

As a result, there were only a few opportunities for the class 10 to show its full power potential. Although diesel locomotives were still less powerful at that time and the electrification of lines in many parts of Germany was not yet very advanced, the steam era was drawing to a close. After all, these two individual vehicles were retired in 1967 and 1968 and today only 10 001 is preserved, but not operational.