The E10 is part of the family of standard locomotives and was built for the Deutsche Bundesbahn starting in 1952. The four-axle machines were initially used in premium passenger services for express and D-trains. In 1962, a new streamlined locomotive body was designed for the Rheingold locomotives, which was also used from E10 288 onwards in the series machines. The bend at the front gave the locomotive its nickname "Bügelfalte" (Pleat). From then on, the locomotives were classified as E10.3 by the Deutsche Bundesbahn. Starting in the 1990s, the operational range of the locomotives, which were designated as series 110 from 1968, shifted towards local transport. Many machines were therefore equipped with multiple unit controls.