 They are closely based on the class Re 460 (or Lok 2000) locomotives of Swiss Federal Railways.The nicknames of this class are "Alppiruusu" (Edelweiss), "Käkikello" (Cuckoo clock), both referring to the Swiss origin of the locomotive, and "Marsu" (Guinea pig), from the looks of the locomotive.In 1992, VR ordered the first 20 class Sr2 locomotives; later 20 more were ordered with 12 options.