The JNR Class DF91 was a diesel-electric locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways from August to September 1959.
History[]
The DF91 was a prototype diesel-electric locomotive used by the JNR, with a single locomotive prototyped while the company developed its own locomotives for domestic sales as well as potentially for export. A total of ten locomotives were prototyped; these were Hitachi's DF90, DF91 and DF93, Kawasaki's DF40, Kisha Seizō's DF41, Nippon Sharyo's DD42 and DD93, Shin-Mitsubishi's DD40 and DD91 and Toshiba's DD41.
One locomotive was built in 1959 by Hitachi. The locomotive was purchased by the Japanese National Railways in August 1959 and numbered DF91 1; it was located at Mito Rolling Stock Depot and pulled passenger trains on the Jōban Line. After a month, DF91 1 was returned to Hitachi. Intended for export, DF91 1 was exported to Taiwan in June 1960, along with eleven other similar locomotives; in Taiwan, the locomotives were classified as the Class R1 before being reclassified to Class R0 with standardization of locomotive naming rules. DF91 1 would be renumbered R1 and used until 1993 when it was scrapped.
Kawasaki's DF40 locomotive would be renumbered to DF91 1 in October 1961; apart from name both locomotives are unrelated.
Design[]
The DF91 featured a design similar to that of American road switcher locomotives.
Specifications[]
The DF91 was fitted with a MAN V6V 22/30 mAuL prime mover and a Hitachi electric transmission. The prime mover produced 1,420 PS (1,044 kW).