The ÖBB class 2050 consisted of 18 four-axle diesel-electric locomotives built by Henschel in Germany under license from General Motors. They were powered by a 1,520 hp EMD series 567 engine. They had been preceded by G12 prototype No. 7707 built by Henschel in 1955. This was built like a road switcher with a single cab and hoods, but the class 2050 had a full-width car body and two cabs. Some of the components were supplied by Austrian companies.

Although they had a top speed of only 100 km/h, they had a steam heating boiler and were used in passenger and freight service. Later the boilers were removed and only 2050.02 got electric train supply. Withdrawals started in the mid-nineties and were completed in 2004. Today, 12 of the 18 locomotives are still existing and some are still being used for excursion trains. 2050.09 is even being used for light freight trains by its owner, the regiobahn GmbH.