Power type Diesel-electric | ||
 | ||
Builder Dalian: DF4/A/B/C/D/DD/DF, CKD4A
Datong: DF4B/C
Sifang: DF4B/C/E
Ziyang: DF4/A/B/C
Dalian & Siemens: DF4DJ Model DF4, DF4A, DF4B,
DF4C, DF4D, DF4DD
DF4DF, DF4DJ, DF4E
CKD4A Build date DF4(A): 1969-1986
DF4B: 1984 to date
DF4C: 1985-1999
DF4D/DD: 1999 to date
DF4DF: 1999-2004
DF4DJ: 2000
DF4E: 1994-1997
CKD4A: 2002 Total produced DF4(A): 31 P, 812 F
DF4B: 585 (P), 4006 (F)
DF4C: 2 (P), 845 (F)
DF4D: 573 (P), 398 (F), 340 (HS)
DF4DD: 238
DF4DF: 25
DF4DJ: 2
DF4E: 16
CKD4A: 2 AAR wheel arr. C-C
A1A-A1A (DF4C 5274 & 5275)
Co-Co+Co-Co (DF4E) | ||
The DF4 (Chinese: 东风4) is a type of diesel-electric locomotive used in the People's Republic of China. It has been in production since 1969 and is still produced as of 2007 by several local companies. It is the most common locomotive in China and is used for both passenger and freight services.
Contents
DF4
The first DF4 was built in 1969 in Dalian. The first 108 locomotives that were built here are the original DF4s using the 16V240ZJ engine. It took seven years to build all 108 locomotives of this type. Due to unstable technique in the production of early-built DF4 locomotives, malfunctions of mechanic and electric parts occurred frequently during the operation, especially the diesel engine. Thus, most DF4 locomotives were taken out of service for maintenance, and railroad engineers from Fengtai Locomotive Depot sarcastically joked that the DF4 "can't make it from Dongdan to Xisi". Therefore, Dalian Locomotive Works introduced 16V240ZJA, an improved diesel engine. They are nicknamed "Watermelon".
Few of the first series DF4 are still in operation, however the first ever is a permanent exhibition at the Beijing Railway Museum.
DF4A
The DF4A distinguishes itself from first series DF4s with an improved engine, the 16V240ZJA. Production started in 1976 (the first model being DF4-0109) and lasted until 1984. The DF4A designation is unofficial.
DF4B
Nicknamed Watermelon, Military Police, or Orange. General speaking, Watermelons and Militarys are used for freight, while Oranges are almost used for passenger services. DF4B are very similar to standard DF4, apart from an improved engine (16V240ZJB). Production started in Dalian in 1984.
DF4C
The DF4C was supposed to replace the DF4B as the main diesel locomotive in China and comes with several improvements, including a new engine revision (16240ZJC). The first DF4C was produced in 1985 and batch production started four years later, in 1989, and lasted until roughly the end of the 20th century.
The DF4C comes in a different color scheme than the previous DF4s, namely dark blue and later light blue and beige. The passenger version, informally called DF4CK, has an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement.
Gearing variations
The DF4, DF4B and DF4C were each produced with two different gear ratios, "passenger" (up to 120 km/h or 75 mph or 170 km/h or 110 mph for DF4C) and "freight" (up to 100 km/h or 62 mph). The passenger variant was often painted orange.
DF4D
The DF4D, the most recent DF4 revision, has been produced since 1996 with the 16V240ZJD engine. The passenger versions increased top speed to 145 km/h (90 mph) or 170 km/h (110 mph). The freight version comes in a different color scheme than the previous DF4Ds, namely green(7000 Series) and later light blue(4000 Series) and yellow. The green version sat on radial bogies but later converted to standard bogies. Their top speed to 100 km/h (62 mph).
DF4DJ
The DF4DJ, originally DF4DAC, of which only 2 were built had AC drive technology supplied by Siemens. They were China's first AC drive diesel locomotive.
DF4DD
A switcher version of the DF4 with side walkways and a full-body cab similar to modern American locomotives. It is the most powerful switcher class in China until HXN3B and HXN5B.
DF4E
The DF4E is a 2 unit locomotive of total power 4.86MW (2x2.43MW)
Manufacturers
DF4s have been manufactured by several companies:
North Korea
In 2001, the Korean State Railway bought two locomotives of type CKD4A (DF4D) new from CNR Dalian; these were delivered in July 2002. These are powered by the same 16V240ZJD as the Chinese DF4D, producing 2,940 kW (3,940 hp) and have a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph). They are painted in the standard light blue over dark green, but their numbers are not known.
Between 2006 and 2008, three batches of refurbished second-hand DF4 ("DF4A") and DF4B were delivered to North Korea. These are numbered in the 내연200 series (내연 = Naeyŏn, "internal combustion") and are in service for passenger and freight trains all over North Korea; many are assigned to the Hamhŭng area. The total number delivered is not known, but the number is at least 36 units, numbered 내연201 to 내연225 and 내연261 to 내연271. Many are still in their former Chinese paint, but some have been repainted into the standard light blue over dark green, and two have received the dark green/yellow scheme applied to many M62-type diesels obtained second hand from Germany and Slovakia. There is at least one DF4D, in standard blue over green livery.