The Class DD51 (DD51形) is a B-2-B wheel arrangement diesel-hydraulic locomotive type operated in Japan since 1962. 649 locomotives were built between 1962 and 1978 by Kawasaki Sharyo, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi. The class was designed for mainline passenger and freight use with more power than the D51 and a higher maximum speed than the C62 steam locomotive classes. This was achieved by installing two 1,100 hp engines in an 18 metre long centre-cab design, unusual for mainline operation. The V12 DML61 engines were developed from the 6-cylinder inline DMF31 engines used in the Class DD13 locomotives.[3] As of 1 April 2016[update], 29 locomotives remained in operation.[1]
Variations
Locos numbered from DD51 501 to 799 and from 1001 to 1186 were equipped to operate in multiple, and locos numbered DD51 800 to 899 and 1801 to 1805 were built without steam generators for train heating.[3]
Liveries
All locomotives numbered from DD51 2 onwards were finished in the standard diesel livery of orange/red with grey upper surfaces separated by a white stripe. Re-engined locos operated by JR Freight in Hokkaido sport a livery based on the Class DF200 colour scheme, with no white stripe. These locomotives were used in pairs double-heading freight trains.
DD51 592 (now withdrawn), and now DD51 791, was repainted in the "Euroliner" livery of pale blue with dark blue stripes for use with JR Central's "Euroliner" Joyful Train set.
DD51 842 was designated as the Imperial Train locomotive. Whereas regular members of the class have white handrails and edges to the running boards, they are polished stainless steel on this particular locomotive, as are the exhaust shrouds. Based at Takasaki Depot, it is also used for special excursion trains.[4]
DD51 842 on an Imperial Train working in October 2001
DD51 1095 in JR Hokkaido Hokutosei livery in February 2010
JR Central DD51 791 in Euro Liner livery
DD51 1166 in JR Freight blue livery initially applied to refurbished locomotives, July 2006
DD51 1803 in JR Freight red livery applied to refurbished locomotives, August 2007
Refurbishment
A pair of refurbished Hokkaido-based JR Freight DD51s led by D51 1152
Many of the JR Freight locomotive underwent life extension refurbishment, which included removal of steam generator equipment where still fitted. These locos are distinguished by a new livery of blue with grey upper surfaces separated by a white stripe, and cream end panels.
DD51 class locomotives also formed the basis for the DD17, DD18, and DD19 self-propelled snow plough units.[4]
Fleet allocation
Eight withdrawn JR Hokkaido Class DD51s stored at Jinyamachi Rinkai Yard in July 2016
As of 1 April 2016[update], 29 locomotives remained in operation, including 17 locomotives operated by JR Freight, four by JR East, and eight by JR West.[1]
Overseas operations
Myanmar
A number of Class DD51 locomotives have been shipped to Myanmar for use on the Myanmar Railways.[5]
As of March 2016[update], the status of DD51s shipped to Myanmar is as follows.[5]
Original number
Manufacturer
Date built
Last owner
Date withdrawn
Date shipped
MR number(s)
Status
DD51 797
Hitachi
November 1972
JR Freight
March 2003
2004
D2D.2201
Stored out of use
DD51 823
Hitachi
August 1970
JR Freight
June 2005
2005
D2D.2202
Status unknown
DD51 1070
Mitsubishi
February 1974
JR Freight
December 2005
2005
DD.1101
Cut up May 2015
DD.1102
Stored out of use
DD51 1001
Mitsubishi
October 1972
JR Freight
December 2005
2005
DD.1103
Stored out of use
DD.1104
Status unknown
DD51 1006
Mitsubishi
November 1972
JR Hokkaido
December 2008
2012
DF.2027
Awaiting conversion
DD51 1068
Mitsubishi
February 1974
JR Hokkaido
December 2008
2012
DF.2012
Awaiting conversion
Conversion included re-gauging from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) and lowering the cab roof profile.[5] Locomotives DD51 1070 and DD51 1001 were heavily rebuilt with parts from other locomotives to form four Bo-Bo wheel arrangement locomotives used for depot shunting work.[5]
Thailand
Two former Hokutousei DD51s were sent to Thailand for use during the conversion of some lines to double track. These were numbers DD51 1137 and DD51 1142.[6][7]
Preserved examples
As of April 2016[update], seven class DD51 locomotives are preserved:
The prototype, DD51 1, with its unique, more rounded appearance, was moved to the Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park in April 1998 and repainted in its original livery of brown with white lining. This locomotive was withdrawn March 1986, and was subsequently stored at Takasaki Depot from March 1987.[2]
Prototype DD51 1 preserved at the Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park in April 2011
DD51 548 preserved at the Mikasa Railway Village in Hokkaido in August 2015
DD51 610 preserved at the Mikasa Railway Village in Hokkaido in May 2007
DD51 615 preserved at the Otaru Museum in Hokkaido in August 2009
DD51 756 preserved at the Kyoto Railway Museum in October 2016
DD51 849 at the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) facility in Kokubunji, Tokyo in October 2001
^ abcdeSasada, Masahiro (25 November 2014). 国鉄&jr 保存車大全 2015-2016 国鉄&JR保存車大全2015-2016 [JNR & JR Preserved Rolling Stock Complete Guide 2015-2016] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. p. 123. ISBN978-4863209282.
^ 京都鉄道博物館 [Kyoto Railway Museum]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56, no. 662. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. June 2016. p. 4852–53.
^Shibata, Togo (February 2016). 2016年「津山まなびの鉄道館」としてリニューアルオープン [Reopening in 2016 as "Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum!]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 45, no. 382. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. pp. 46–47.
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