JNR Class DF50

Class DF50
A pair of DF50s on a farewell tour in 1983
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel–electric
Builder
Build date1957–1963
Total produced138
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICBo'Bo'Bo'
 • CommonwealthBo-Bo-Bo
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Wheel diameter800 mm (2 ft 7 in)
Length16,400 mm (53 ft 10 in)
Width2,932 mm (9 ft 7.4 in)
Height3,987 mm (13 ft 1.0 in)
Loco weight85.1 t
Traction motorsMT48 x 6
Performance figures
Maximum speed90 km/h (55 mph)
Power output1,060 hp (DF50-0), 1,200 hp (DF50-500)
Career
First run1957
Last run1983
Preserved3

The Class DF50 (DF50形) is a class of Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement diesel–electric locomotives operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) in Japan from 1957 until 1983.

Variants

DF50-0

The first batch of 65 locomotives was built between 1957 and 1962 with Sulzer 8-cylinder 8LDA25A 1,060 hp diesel engines. Production was shared between Kisha Seizō, Mitsubishi, and Nippon Sharyō.

DF50-500

A later batch of 73 locomotives was built between 1958 and 1963 with MAN V6 V22/30 1,200 hp diesel engines. Production was shared between Hitachi, Kawasaki, and Toshiba.

Operations

A pair of Class DF50s on a limestone freight working in 1983

Class DF50 locomotives were intended for use on both passenger and freight services, and included a steam generator for train heating. They operated on the following lines, including use hauling "Blue Train" sleeping car services.

In later years, operations were restricted to Kyushu and Shikoku, with the remaining locomotives withdrawn in 1983, except for DF50 1, which later passed into JR Shikoku ownership.

Livery

An N scale model of a JNR Class DF50 diesel locomotive with 12 series passenger cars manufactured by KATO, showing the livery of the locomotive before its withdrawal from service.

The locomotives were initially painted in all-over maroon with stainless steel bands, but were subsequently repainted into the standard JNR diesel locomotive livery of vermillion and grey.

Preserved examples

Three Class DF50 locomotives were preserved.

Classification

The DF50 classification for this locomotive type is explained below.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 JR全車輛ハンドブック1995 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 1995] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 1995. p. 71.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Inoue, Kōichi (1999). 国鉄機関車事典: 蒸気・電気・ディーゼル機関車66形式 国鉄機関車辞典 [JNR Locomotive Encyclopedia] (in Japanese). Japan: Sankaido. pp. 182–183. ISBN 978-4-381-10338-3.
  3. 1 2 Sasada, Masahiro (September 2012). 国鉄&JR保存車大全 [JNR & JR Preserved Rolling Stock Complete Guide] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. pp. 34, 127. ISBN 978-4863206175.
  4. ↑ DF50 18が津山に向けて陸送される [DF50 18 moved to Tsuyama]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 11 March 2015. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2015.