Class DD51
DD51 1027 in October 2007
Type and origin Power type Diesel-hydraulic Builder Hitachi, Kawasaki, Mitsubishi Build date 1962–1978 Total produced 649[1]
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC B-2-B Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)metre gauge(Myanmar, Thailand) Wheel diameter 860 mm (34 in) Length 18,000 mm (59 ft 1 in) Width 2,951–2,971 mm (9 ft 8.2 in – 9 ft 9.0 in)[2] Height 3,956 mm (12 ft 11.7 in) Loco weight 84 t (83 long tons; 93 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover DML61S (2) Engine type V12, four-stroke, turbocharged diesel engine, 1100 horsepower Transmission Hydraulic Loco brake Hydrodynamic,Air Train brakes Air
Performance figures Maximum speed 95 km/h (60 mph) Power output 2,200 hp (1,600 kW)
Career Operators JNR JR Hokkaido JR East JR Central JR West JR Freight Myanmar Railways AS Associated Engineering (Not related toState Railway of Thailand Can use shared routes) Number in class 15 (as of 1 December 2024[update]) Disposition Operational

TheClass DD51 (DD51形) is a B-2-B wheel arrangementdiesel-hydraulic locomotive type operated in Japan since 1962. 649 locomotives were built between 1962 and 1978 byKawasaki Sharyo,Hitachi, andMitsubishi. The class was designed for mainline passenger and freight use with more power than theD51 and a higher maximum speed than theC62 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 theClass DD13 locomotives.^[3] As of 1 April 2016^[update], 29 locomotives remained in operation.^[1]

Locos numbered from DD51 501 to 799 and from 1001 to 1186 were equipped to operate inmultiple, and locos numbered DD51 800 to 899 and 1801 to 1805 were built withoutsteam generators for train heating.^[3]

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 byJR Freight inHokkaido sport a livery based on theClass DF200 colour scheme, with no white stripe. These locomotives were used in pairsdouble-heading freight trains.

JR Hokkaido locos were all finished in the "Hokutosei" livery of blue with a gold stripe and shooting star logo. These were used in pairs for hauling sleeper trains (Hokutosei,Cassiopeia, andTwilight Express) betweenHakodate andSapporo.^[4]

DD51 592 (now withdrawn), and now DD51 791, was repainted in the "Euroliner" livery of pale blue with dark blue stripes for use with JR Central's "Euroliner"Joyful Train set.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 HokkaidoHokutosei livery in February 2010
• 
  JR Central DD51 791 inEuro 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

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-propelledsnow plough units.^[4]

Following the privatization ofJapanese National Railways (JNR) on 1 April 1987,JR Hokkaido received 25 locomotives,JR East received 29,JR Central received 4,JR West received 63,JR Kyushu received one locomotive, andJR Freight received 137.^[1]

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]

A number of Class DD51 locomotives have been shipped to Myanmar for use on theMyanmar Railways.^[5]

As of March 2016^[update], the status of DD51s shipped to Myanmar is as follows.^[5]

Conversion included re-gauging from1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to1,000 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]

Two former Hokutousei DD51s were sent to Thailand for use during the conversion of some lines todouble track. These were numbers DD51 1137 and DD51 1142.^[6][7]

As of April 2016^[update], seven class DD51 locomotives are preserved:

• DD51 1: Preserved at theUsui Pass Railway Heritage Park inGunma Prefecture.^[8]
• DD51 548: Preserved at Crawford Park inMikasa, Hokkaido.^[8]
• DD51 610: Preserved at the Mikasa Railway Village in Mikasa, Hokkaido.^[8]
• DD51 615: Preserved at the Otaru Museum inOtaru, Hokkaido.^[8]
• DD51 756: Preserved at theKyoto Railway Museum in Kyoto since April 2016.^[9]
• DD51 1040: Preserved at the Railway History Park next toNamikawa Station inKameoka, Kyoto.^[8]
• DD51 1187: Preserved at theTsuyama Railroad Educational Museum inTsuyama, Okayama.^[10]

The prototype, DD51 1, with its unique, more rounded appearance, was moved to theUsui 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
• 
  Preserved DD51 1040 in April 2014

The DD51 classification for this locomotive type is explained below.

• D: Diesel locomotive
• D: Four driving axles
• 51: Locomotive with maximum speed exceeding 85 km/h

InYaemon the Locomotive 3D there is a talking DD51 engine which tries to defeat Yaemon.

Wikimedia Commons has media related toJNR DD51.

• Diesel–hydraulic locomotives of Japan
• Japan Freight Railway Company
• Hokkaido Railway Company
• East Japan Railway Company
• West Japan Railway Company
• Central Japan Railway Company
• 1067 mm gauge locomotives of Japan
• Hitachi locomotives
• Kawasaki diesel locomotives
• Mitsubishi locomotives
• Railway locomotives introduced in 1962
• B-2-B locomotives
• Center-cab locomotives

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