Red Flag 2000-class locomotive explained

Red Flag 2000
Powertype:Electric
Builder:Kim Chong-t'ae Works
Builddate:1968
Uicclass:Bo′Bo′
Collectionmethod:Pantographs
Electricsystem:3,000 V DC
Coupling:AAR knuckle
Maxspeed:120round=5NaNround=5
Poweroutput:2120kW
Operator: Korean State Railway
Operatorclass:붉은기2000 Pulg'ŭn'gi-2000
Numinclass:≥43
Fleetnumbers:2001-2043

The Red Flag 2000-class (Korean: 붉은기2000 Pulg'ŭn'gi-2000) is an electric locomotive built by the Kim Chong-t'ae Electric Locomotive Works for the Korean State Railway, intended for use as a marshalling locomotive.[1] They are used primarily for hauling non-express passenger trains on mainlines in North Korea;[2] they are frequently seen on the P'yŏngŭi Line.

Internally, in terms of their electrical and mechanical components, the Red Flag 2000-class locomotives are based on the Red Flag 1-class, but with Bo-Bo wheel arrangement, riding on two-axle roller bearing bogies. The boxy body is of a hood-type design, with a cab at one end, external walkways around the long hood. They are generally operated with the long hood forward. Producing 2120kW, they entered service in 1968.[3] At least 43 were built, numbered 붉은기2001 to 붉은기2043, and most are painted in the standard light blue over dark blue livery, though a few have been noted in the newer two-tone light green over dark green scheme. One locomotive, number 2015, carries special titles on the sides reading Chŏngju Sŏnyon-ho (정주소년호, "Chŏngju Youth-class").[4] This is a feature shared with rebuilt locomotives of the Red Flag 1 and Red Flag 2 classes, but it is not known if this means this unit has been rebuilt.

Notes and References

  1. "Electric locomotives 50 times". The Pyongyang Times. October 26, 1985. p. 5.
  2. Book: Kokubu, Hayato. 将軍様の鉄道. January 2007. Shōgun-sama no Tetsudō. 978-4-10-303731-6. ja.
  3. Web site: 【原创】朝鲜铁路机车车辆概况一览 -- 一介书生. [Original] Korea List of railway rolling stock before - scholar. Chinese. cchere.com. July 2, 2013.
  4. Web site: All sizes | North Korea loco | Flickr.