146 001 to 007 were ordered by the state of Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate) and were originally used with double decker trains on the line Mannheim - Mainz - Koblenz.

146 008 to 031 were ordered by the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia) and are used for medium-distance regional trains on various lines in that state.

From 146 101 on, the carbody is the same as class 185, whereas locomotives 001 to 031 are based on class 145.

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