The WR 360 C 14 was the Wehrmacht's most well-known diesel locomotive and was built in the largest numbers. The original designation stood for “Wehrmachtslokomotive Regelspur, 360 HP, wheel arrangement C, 14 tonnes axle load”. However, the name V 36, under which it was used on both sides of the inner-German border after the war, is more familiar to the public.

It was powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine with 360 hp. This did not require turbocharging and drew its power from a displacement of 98 liters, which reduced production costs and minimized technical defects even under difficult operating conditions. Most examples used a multi-speed hydraulic gearbox to transfer power to the jackshaft, but some also used a mechanical gearbox. The production of the WR 360 C 14 comprised a total of around 280 units, some of which remained in other countries after the war. In Germany, 42 pieces went to the Reichsbahn and almost 100 to the Bundesbahn. Further examples were also built after the war, and new types of diesel locomotives were created primarily for private and works railways, which were more or less based on this model.

In the Bundesbahn, the V 36 was not only used for shunting, but often also on secondary lines with passenger trains. Since the poor visibility due to the high hood proved to be a disadvantage when used on the line, conversions were also made. The best known was a tower on the driver's cab roof, with the driver standing on the driver's desk and having a better view of the route. A completely new high cab was built for the V 36 238, but this was the only example. Some V 36s were also modified with regard to the controls. In order to allow push-pull operation with control cars from multiple units, a number of machines were given push-pull control. Systems were initially used that required an additional man on the locomotive and only later variants were suitable for one-man operation. In addition, some locomotives were given multiple controls so that two V 36s could be coupled together at the cabs and manned by one driver.

V 36 123 of the Franconian Switzerland steam railway with a tower cab in October 2016 in Muggendorf

Reinhold Möller

When the changeover to computer numbers was made, V 36s were still existing in both German states. Since 1968 they have been known as class 236 in the Bundesbahn and as class 103 in the Reichsbahn since 1970. The former was phased out in the 1970s, the latter in the 1980s. Today there are several locomotives, some of which are roadworthy and some of which are used regularly.