JNR Class DD15 explained

Class DD15
Powertype:Diesel-hydraulic
Builder:Nippon Sharyo
Builddate:1961–1966
Totalproduction:50
Britishclass:Bo-Bo
Width:2926mm
Height:3880mm
Axleload:15.5 t
Locoweight:62.0 t
Fueltype:Diesel
Fuelcap:1,500 l
Rpmrange:1,500
Enginetype:DMF31SB x 2
Transmission:Hydraulic
Maxspeed:70abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Poweroutput:1000hp
Tractiveeffort:16500kgf
Numinclass:6
Deliverydate:November 1961
Preservedunits:3
Disposition:In service

The is a four-axle Bo-Bo wheel arrangement diesel-hydraulic locomotive type operated in Japan as a self-propelled snowplough unit since 1961 by the national railway company Japanese National Railways (JNR), and later by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West). A total of 50 locomotives were built between 1961 and 1966, and, 6 locomotives remain in service.

Variants

A total of 50 locomotives were built between 1961 and 1966, divided into the following sub-classes.[1]

Design

The Class DD15 was developed from the Class DD13 locomotive design, with the addition of snowplough units at either end.[1] The snowplough units could be detached, allowing the locomotives to be used for shunting and other duties outside the winter periods.[1] However, with the snowplough units mounted, the locomotive axle load was nearly 16 t, restricting use on rural lines, and so the class was superseded by the later Class DE15 locomotives, which had separate snowplough units.[2] As with the Class DD13 locomotives, the Class DD15 had two 500hp DMF31SB diesel engines.

History

DD15-0

46 Class DD15-0 locomotives were built between 1961 and 1965 by Nippon Sharyo,[1] with the first locomotive delivered in November 1961.[3]

, six Class DD15-0 locomotives remain in service.[2]

DD15-300

Four Class DD15-300 locomotives were built in 1966 by Nippon Sharyo.[1] These locomotives had a modified gear ratio, changed from 1:3.143 to 1:3.196.[1]

, no Class DD15-300 locomotives remain in service.[2]

Fleet status

At the time of privatization of Japanese National Railways (JNR) on 1 April 1987, 32 Class DD15 locomotives remained in service, with JR East receiving 19 and JR West receiving 13.[4] By 1 April 1995, 25 locomotives were still in service, operated by JR East and JR West, including two DD15-300 locomotives.[1]

, six locomotives remain in service, all operated by JR West.[2]

Preserved examples

, three Class DD15 locomotives are preserved.[5]

Classification

See main article: Japan Railways locomotive numbering and classification. The DD15 classification for this locomotive type is explained below.

Notes and References

  1. Book: ja: JR全車輛ハンドブック1995 . JR Rolling Stock Handbook 1995. Neko Publishing . 1995 . Japan . ja . 69–72, 582.
  2. ja: 国鉄最終章LAST (鉄道ジャーナル2017年2月号別冊) . JNR - The Final Chapter (Railway Journal February 2017 Extra issue). Masakazu . Miyahara . Railway Journal . December 2016 . Japan . ja . 39–41. B01N59AJPB . 0288-2337. Tetsudō Jānaru.
  3. Book: Ishii, Yoshitaka . ja: DD51物語 . The DD51 Story . JTB Can Books . 2004 . Tokyo, Japan . ja . 93–94, 188. 978-4-533-05661-1. Dd51物語: 国鉄ディーゼル機関車2400両の開発と活躍の足跡 .
  4. ja: 現在も活躍するJR旅客社の国鉄形車両. JNR rolling stock still in service with JR passenger companies. . 56. 663 . 82 . Koyusha Co., Ltd. . Japan . ja . July 2016.
  5. Book: Sasada, Masahiro . ja: 国鉄&JR保存車大全2015-2016 . JNR & JR Preserved Rolling Stock Complete Guide 2015-2016. Ikaros Publications Ltd.. 25 November 2014 . Tokyo, Japan . ja . 123 . 978-4863209282. 国鉄&jr 保存車大全 2015-2016.
  6. Shibata. Togo. ja: 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 . 45. 382 . 46–47 . Kotsu Shimbun . Japan . ja . February 2016.
  7. Web site: http://railf.jp/news/2011/03/02/092100.html. ja: DD15 30が津山へ. DD15 30 moved to Tsuyama. 2 March 2011. Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20170123023505/http://railf.jp/news/2011/03/02/092100.html . 23 January 2017. 23 January 2017.