China Railways DFH21

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.

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.DFH5 东方红5
, ''www.railwaysofchina.com''

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 , the design did not enter mass production, but in 1973 the design was changed at Ziyang locomotive works to a power locomotive of top speed .东方红型内燃机车
The East is Red Diesel locomotive, ''www.kepu.net.cn''
, Dongfang Hong (''The east is red'') types 2 and 3 museum images, ''news.workercn.cn''

The mass was and starting tractive effort . The locomotive used a 12V180ZL engine and SF2010 transmission.

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.

The DFH5 class was produced in large quantities, the engine was a 12V180ZJ and transmission ZJ2011, producing of tractive effort with a mass of and with a top speed of . A higher speed was available with a limit of and tractive effort reduced to approximately half.
, Dongfang Hong (''The east is red'') type 5, museum images and technical details, ''news.workercn.cn''

Variants were produced introduced 1985, with modififactions to improve reliability and performance; the DFH5B and DFH5C, in both the rated power was increased to , and the mass by . DFH5C was produced for operations in metalworks.

DFH6

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

DFH7

Four units produced for shunting in mines and industrial environments.

Metre gauge

DFH21

Locomotives similar in design to the DFH2 type but built to meter gauge and used as universal locomotives. The locomotives were used on the Kunming metre gauge railway, including passenger services.DFH21
Images via ''www.flickr.com''

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.

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

Preserved locomotives

DFH2 0008 and DFH5 0001 are both preserved at the Beijing China Railway Museum.Preserved Locomotives
, ''www.railwaysofchina.com''

References

Images

External links

Railway museum Beijing, diesel hydraulic gallery, ''www.geocities.jp''

{{Locomotives of Vietnam

DFH
B-B locomotives
Standard gauge locomotives of China
Metre gauge diesel locomotives