In 1934, the German Reichsbahn ordered four C-coupled locomotives from AEG and three from BBC/Kraus Maffei. The AEG locomotives visually differ from the BBC machines due to their square and flatter front structures; they were slightly slower but had a higher power output of 725 kW. After delivery, the locomotives were stationed in Munich and Stuttgart. At DB, the locomotives operated in Augsburg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Munich, and Stuttgart. In 1960/61, the locomotives underwent extensive modernization, receiving shunting platforms and additional windows, as well as the red paint scheme of DB. From 1976 to 1979, the locomotives, renamed BR 163 starting in 1968, were decommissioned, with the last one being No. 163 002. Two museum locomotives, E63 01 and E63 02, have been preserved.