JNR Class DD51Locomotive

 Greetings All,

JNR Class DD51 Locomotive

A friend and neighbor recently returned from a trip to Japan and gifted me this Kato HO Scale DD51 locomotive he purchased at the Kato Store in Tokyo.

What is a JNR DD51Locomotive?

Prototype Information From Wikipedia

The Class DD51 (DD51形) is a B-2-B wheel arrangement diesel-hydraulic locomotive operated in Japan since 1962. 649 locomotives were built between 1962 and 1978 by Kawasaki Sharyo, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi. 

"DD51 1804 Freight train in Sanin line" by khws4v1 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.

The class was designed for mainline passenger and freight use with more power than the D51 and a higher maximum speed than the C62 steam locomotive classes. This was achieved by installing two 1,100 hp engines in an 18 meter long center-cab design, unusual for mainline operation.

"JNR DD51 842 20011014" by ja:User:出々 吾壱 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/?ref=openverse

The V12 DML61 engines were developed from the 6-cylinder inline DMF31 engines used in the Class DD13 locomotives. As of April 1st, 2016, 29 locomotives remained in operation.

"DD51 1804 Freight train in Yamaguchi line" by khws4v1 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Variations

Locos numbered from DD51 501 to 799 and from 1001 to 1186 were equipped to operate in multiple, and locos numbered DD51 800 to 899 and 1801 to 1805 were built without steam generators for train heating.

"File:JNR DD51 1161 20031010.jpg" by ja:User:DD51612 is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

Liveries

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. 

"JRF DD51 1803 20070812" by 出々 吾壱 at Japanese Wikipedia is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Re-engined locos operated by JR Freight in Hokkaido sport a livery based on the Class DF200 color scheme, with no white stripe. These locomotives were used in pairs double-heading freight trains.

"JNR-DD51-1152" by ja:User:DD51612 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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, and Twilight Express) between Hakodate and Sapporo.

"Twilight Express DD51 1137 20120904" by Rsa is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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.

"JNR-dd51 791 euroliner" by TaitaFkm is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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.

"Hachiko-Line DD51-842" by MaedaAkihiko is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Refurbishment

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-propelled snow plough units.

"JRF-DD51 1166" by Chatama is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Fleet Allocation

Following the privatization of Japanese 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, and JR Freight received 137.

As of 1 April 2016, 29 locomotives remained in operation, including 17 locomotives operated by JR Freight, four by JR East, and eight by JR West. A number of Class DD51 locomotives have been shipped to Myanmar for use on the Myanmar Railways.

Model Information

The good looking KATO locomotive is ready for unboxing. I'm very grateful that my friend thought of me while on vacation in Japan and brought me back this gift.

The DD51 comes with flexible railings and other detail parts that need to be installed by the modeler. Oh joy...

The DD51 is a DCC ready locomotive that ran very well in both directions right out of the box and continued to do so while being tested. 

The North American style couplers were within the Kadee height gauge limits. 

After a good amount of time at the workbench and some cussing most of the separately applied flexible detail parts have been installed. If I can find the windshield wiper that flew out of the tweezers across the room I'll try to install the four of them. 

Testing

When looking at the DD51 I am reminded of the Baldwin Center Cab Switchers which were heavy haulers and thought the DD51 would perform in a similar manner. I tested the DD51 in several assignments and found it draws little current from the controller, can make jackrabbit starts, and runs great but doesn't have the weight needed to move a heavy cut of freight or passenger cars.

Bedford Park Yard

Engineer Robert R poses with the DD51 after it was delivered to Bedford Park Yard. This was a short lived assignment as the United Auto Workers at the Bedford Park Ford Plant promised a walkout if the DD51 entered Ford property.

Water Street Yard

Alco Joe and conductor Murray pose with the DD51 as they prepare to board the locomotive in Terminal Yard for the trip to Water Street.

The DD51 arrives at Water Street Yard along with the Kings Port Railfan Society who's railroad spies gave them the heads up on the DD51 and its current assignment. 

The DD51 works the Water Street Job and switches cars for the Railway Express Agency.

The DD51 draws a crowd in the engine terminal.

Later that week the DD51 was sent to the Empire Belt RR for testing on the Haydon Heights Job, Trains HH-1 / HH-2. The EBRR guys look the B-2-B engine over with skeptical eyes.

The DD51 switches the Quaker Plant and Gervais Pipe and Fitting.

The DD51 has returned to the engine terminal and continues to draw the crowds. Engine hostler Wet Willie is sweating on how to service this diesel-hydraulic locomotive since all the instructions are in Japanese!!!

Final Thoughts and Comments

The DD51 is a good looking somewhat exotic locomotive that runs smoothly and reliably. The low current draw of the DD51is a definite plus best handled by using the momentum features in your DC controller or setting it with your DCC system to control the potential jackrabbit starts. The engine will move a light train at extreme speeds!!

I found the DD51 well suited for the Water Street and Haydon Heights Jobs where it performed the switching tasks with no problems. The locomotive could reliably hold down a commuter train job of a few passenger cars making use of its dual purpose.

A big thank you to my friend and neighbor for his generosity.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!

Got Wood? New Wrapped Lumber Loads

 Greetings All,

 

Got Wood? New Wrapped Lumber Loads

This is what happened after Sir Neal and I talked about our bulkhead flatcars in late August and early September and the need for some nice lumber loads to place in them. The bulkhead flatcars are Walthers 53' cars with a loading space of about 48'.

Leave it to Sir Neal to hunt down some fine looking wrapped loads via ebay seller Lisa's Fun Nail Art who was offering some nice discounts for a Labor Day Sale.

I wasn't convinced that the loads would fit the Walthers cars and waited for Sir Neal to receive his and report back. With a positive report from him complete with photos I made my move.

I ordered a total of eight wrapped lumber loads for my five 53' bulkhead flats and three 67' bulkhead flats. The loads are made by Hopper Hill Hobbies.

Two Georgia Pacific, two Weyerhaeuser and one Boise Cascade wrapped lumber loads for the 53' bulkhead flats.

The loads fit into the 53' bulkhead flats nice and snug.

The wrapped lumber loads are made from a solid wood block with the wrapping and banding separately applied. They add a good amount of weight to the car and will stay in place.

I like the way these easy to use loads look. 

The three Minnesota, Dakota and Western (MDW) 67' bulkhead flatcars from Atlas arrived on the layout in March 2023. See link below for more information. 

The MDW is a four mile short line railroad that served the Boise-Cascade Pulp and Paper Mill at International Falls, MN. Note the company's emblem on the bulkheads. 

Three Boise Cascade wrapped lumber loads were purchased for the MDW 67'ers.

At first the wrapped lumber loads for the 67' bulkhead flatcars were too loose so I added some shims to correct that.

The loads are now snug and evenly spaced between the bulkheads.

It's time to test the newly loaded bulkhead flatcars. If I'm going to do that lets get the rest of my open lumber carrying cars and make a train of it!!

PC GP38 #7675 with assistance from SSW GP40 #7602 and PC GP38 #2010 bring Extra 7675 from Selkirk to Terminal Yard.

Final Thoughts and Comments

A big thank you to 1:1 Scale Sir Neal for his research and tenacity in finding these good looking lumber loads from such an unlikely source. I am very pleased with how the loads are constructed and fit into the bulkhead flatcars. 

Additional Links and Info

MDW 67' Bulkhead flatcars blog post.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!

Penn Central Car Movements #113 Part 6 / Conclusion of Virtual Operations

  Greetings All,

 

Welcome back to Penn Central Car Movements #113

Our three layout virtual op concludes today with the final inbound trains from Ralph's Kings Port Division and Sir Neal's Atlantic Pacific Railroad interchanging their PCCM freight traffic with the Empire Belt and Long Island RRs.

We open our final installment at Terminal Yard with PC Train EC-1 preparing to depart for the EBRR's North Side Yard. The power has coupled on.

An Empire Belt pool caboose is coupled on.

Train EC-1 heads out of Terminal Yard.

The EBRR guys are happy that it's none other than Alco Joe aka GP30 Joe and conductor Murray running the EC-1 / EC-2 today.

Alco Joe (GP30 Joe) and conductor Murray head back to Terminal Yard caboose light as Train EC-2.

Train EC-2 has returned to Terminal Yard and places the EBRR pool caboose on the caboose track. A possible PCCM first in this photo with the EBRR and the APRR caboose coupled together!!!

Alco Joe (GP30 Joe today) ties down his six locomotive consist in the engine terminal and Wet Willie is already sweating while thinking about servicing the six engine consist. 

Meanwhile the Empire Belt brain trust has gathered at the yard office to plan their PCCM movements. 

PC Ralph will be handling the Belt Job today powered by three EBRR SDP40s.

The Belt Job has shoved a cut of seven PCCM freight cars to the newly established Quaker Yard Track.

The Belt Job starts delivering PCCM freight traffic to local industries. MEC 1400 and 1414 were held in North Side Yard at the end of the outbound portion and are placed at EC Caterpillar for their next PCCM loads.

Empty NYC covered hopper 892010 also held in North Side Yard at the end of the outbound portion is placed at Red Wing Milling for its next PCCM load.

The Belt Job heads towards the Hohman Ave Industrial Park.

The Belt Job starts working the Hohman Ave Industrial Park industries by placing empty PC boxcar 360063 at Reliable Machine Company for its next PCCM load.

GTW boxcar 516158 and IC boxcar 30130 loaded with pallets get pulled from City Pallet.

Empty NH boxcar 36116 is placed at City Pallet for its next PCCM load. The GTW, IC and P&E 3638 boxcars will remain on the storage track pending their next PCCM movements. 

PC Ralph has finished the switching work and prepares to head back to North Side Yard.

The Belt Job returns to North Side Yard.

The Belt Job is tied down in the yard and PC Ralph takes a stroll to the yard office to stretch his legs.

Over in Haydon Heights Sir Neal and conductor John head over to the industry lead to fire up the EBRR GP18s.

Empty covered hoppers get pulled from the Quaker Plant.

The crew couples up to the PCCM cars needing to be moved to Quaker and Gervais Pipe.

Empty PTTX bulkhead flatcar 91313 is placed at Gervais Pipe for its next PCCM load.

Three PCCM coil coaches of Kings Port Steel are placed at Gervais Pipe for unloading.

Three APRR covered hoppers loaded with wheat flour from Cargill in Rock Ridge, NJ are shoved to Quaker.

AP covered hopper 88279 plus two are shoved thru the Quaker Plant.

PC Ralph picks up the empties from Quaker and brings them to North Side Yard.

After a few more moves PC Ralph has the EBRR power and Terminal Yard bound freight traffic placed on the Empire City secondary track. The yard has two full tracks of PCCM traffic awaiting pick up by the LIRR and is set up for the arrival of Long Island RR Train MA-3

Things are heating up in Bedford as LIRR Train MA-3 from Fresh Pond heads west towards North Side Yard.

Meanwhile Penn Central Train TV-90A from Selkirk is heading east passing Bedford Tower.

LIRR Train MA-3 meets PC Train TV-90A

The TV-90A power is placed at the engine terminal sand racks for engine hostler Wet Willie begin their servicing

Big Mike and Kar Knocker are out quickly to work the hotshot TOFC train.

Big Mike pulls a block of TOFC cars from the TOFC track.

PCCM TOFC traffic that originated in Mechanicville, NY gets shoved into the TOFC track.

LIRR Train MA-3 arrives in North Side Yard

The MA-3 has rolled thru the yard to couple its caboose onto one of the blocks the PCCM freight traffic going to Fresh Pond Yard.

LIRR engineer Jimmy Alco chats with the EBRR gang before making his moves and leaving town with the MA-4

LIRR Train MA-4 is pumping up the air for a standing air test prior to departing the yard.

Train MA-4 departs North Side Yard for Fresh Pond.

Put it in the books!!!

This closes out Part 6 and PCCM 113 on the NYCTL. Be sure to catch all the PCCM action on PC Ralph's Kings Port Division and Sir Neal's Atlantic Pacific Railroad.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!