The China Railways "Dongfang Hong" diesel-hydraulic locomotive classes DFH2, DFH5, DFH6 and DFH7 built from the 1970s to 1990s were all used as shunters on the Chinese railway network.

DFH2, DFH5, DFH6, DFH7, DFH21 东方红2、东方红5、东方红6、东方红7、东方红21
DFH2 0008
Type and origin Power type Diesel-hydraulic Builder DFH2, DFH5, DFH6, DFH7 Ziyang locomotive works[1] DFH2, DFH5, DFH21 Sifang locomotive works[1] Build date DFH2 1973[1] DFH5 1976-1988[1] DFH6 1981[1] DFH7 1988[1] DFH21 1977 (prototype), 1982 Total produced DFH2 ? DFH5 >500[2] DFH6 1[1] DFH7 4[1] DFH21 >29
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC B'B'[1] Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) DFH21 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) Minimum curve (?) Length DFH2 12.400 m (40 ft 8.2 in)[1] DFH5 13.700 m (44 ft 11.4 in)[1] DFH6 ? DFH7 ? DFH21 12.000 m (39 ft 4.4 in)[1] Transmission Hydraulic
Performance figures Maximum speed DFH2 62 km/h (39 mph)[1] DFH5 40 km/h (25 mph)[1] DFH6 ? DFH7 ? DFH21 50 km/h (31 mph)[1] Power output DFH2 650 kW (870 hp)[1] DFH5 790 kW (1,060 hp)[2][3] DFH6 1,740 kW (2,330 hp)[1] DFH7 790 kW (1,060 hp)[1] DFH21 640 kW (860 hp)[1]
Career Operators China Railway DFH2, DFH5, DFH6, DFH7, DFH21 Vietnam Railways D10H

The use of diesel-hydraulic shunters has fallen out of favour on the Chinese rail network, with diesel-electric locomotives being used, however diesel-hydraulic machines continued to be produced for industrial railways - mainly the China Railways GK classes.[2]

The DFH21 class is a meter gauge version of the DFH2, and was used on the Yunnan–Vietnam Railway for both passenger and freight services; the same machines are used on the Vietnam Railways where they are known as the D10H.

China Railways standard gauge

DFH2

The DHF2 was originally designed by Sifang locomotive works in 1966 as a passenger locomotive of rated power 1,470 kW (1,970 hp), the design did not enter mass production, but in 1973 the design was changed at Ziyang locomotive works to a 650 kW (870 hp) power locomotive of top speed 62 km/h (39 mph).[1][img 1]

The mass was 60 t (59.1 long tons; 66.1 short tons) and starting tractive effort 192 kN (43,000 lb_f). The locomotive used a 12V180ZL engine and SF2010 transmission.[4]

DFH5

In comparison to the DFH2 type a number of changes were made for the DFH5; a twin speed transmission allowing a higher topspeed when running without a heavy load was included, the mass was increased to improve traction.[3]

The DFH5 class was produced in large quantities, the engine was a 12V180ZJ and transmission ZJ2011, producing 278 kN (62,000 lb_f) of tractive effort with a mass of 86 t (84.6 long tons; 94.8 short tons) and with a top speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). A higher speed was available with a limit of 80 km/h (50 mph) and tractive effort reduced to approximately half.[2][img 2]

Variants were produced introduced 1985, with modififactions to improve reliability and performance; the DFH5B and DFH5C, in both the rated power was increased to 920 kW (1,230 hp), and the mass by 4 t (3.9 long tons; 4.4 short tons). DFH5C was produced for operations in metalworks.[3]

DFH6

One example was produced for shunting in the Chinese port of Huangpu District, Shanghai.[1]

DFH7

Four units produced for shunting in mines and industrial environments.[1]

Metre gauge

DFH21

Locomotives similar in design to the DFH2 type but built to meter gauge and used as universal locomotives.[1][5] The locomotives were used on the Kunming metre gauge railway, including passenger services.[6][img 3]

As of 2012, Kunming rail fans report that DFH21 locos are still used to haul a few passenger trains a day along the metre gauge tracks from Kunming North Railway Station to several nearby stations. In 2014 they still drive these trains.[7]

30 of the locomotives are also used by Vietnam Railways where they are known as the D10H,[8] in 2005 the Vietnam railways had 20 units operational.[9] In 2009 ten of the engines had Caterpillar Inc. 3512B engines fitted as replacements.[10]

Preserved locomotives

DFH2 0008 and DFH5 0001 are both preserved at the Beijing China Railway Museum.[11]

References

Images

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to China Railways DFH2.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to China Railways DFH5.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to China Railways DFH21.

• ☆中国鉄道博物館　車両図録☆ Railway museum Beijing, diesel hydraulic gallery, www.geocities.jp