The Dongfanghong () was a type of 4-axle B'B' single-cab diesel-hydraulic locomotive used on China Railway's mainline. The DFH began trial production in 1959 at the Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock Works (CRRC Sifang), before entering mass production in 1966. The DFH series of electric-drive diesel locomotives, includes the models numbered DFH2, DFH3, DFH4, DFH5, DFH7 and DFH21. The DFH 2,5,6,7 and 21 were shunting locomotives.

NY1-Dongfanghong Diesel Locomotive

The first prototype unit (NY1) (neiran yeli chuandong meaning diesel-hydraulic transmission)ND and NY prefixes , www.railwaysofchina.com was produced in 1959 at Sifang locomotive works, and given the name 'Weixing,' meaning Satellite. The NY1 prototype was launched as a tribute to the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.CRRC Corporation Ltd. (2025, October 3). Classic Locomotive Retrospective | Dongfanghong [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQIyC-qXNnk

The NY1 locomotive design was similar to German diesel-hydraulic machines such as the DB Class V 200, consisting of two high-speed diesel engines. The pair of engines would have each drive a separate hydraulic torque converter based transmission. This configuration resulted in low mass compared to contemporary diesel-electric locomotives.

The first edition of the DFH was put into mass production in 1966 and was a part of China’s first generation of mainline passenger diesel locomotives. The DFH was continually redeveloped during the late 1960s, leading to the development of the both mainline passenger, freight, and shunting models. The original DFH locomotive could be worked in multiple with a driver’s cab at each end.CRRC Corporation Ltd. (2025, October 3). Classic Locomotive Retrospective | Dongfanghong [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQIyC-qXNnk They operated on the Beijing Shenyang passenger trains.DFH1 Class B'-B' Diesel-Hydraulics, www.railography.co.uk

Dongfanghong 3 In 1976, CRRC Sifang put the newly developed DFH 3 into mass production. The DFH 3 was the first of China Railways second-generation passenger diesel locomotives.CRRC Corporation Ltd. (2025, October 3). Classic Locomotive Retrospective | Dongfanghong [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQIyC-qXNnk Unlike earlier models, the DFH 3 was designed with two driving cabs. The DFH3 shares the same twin engine and twin hydraulic transmission as the DFH.

The DFH3 class were used on passenger trains in northeast China, by 2010 most had been displaced, and some are believed to being used in industrial service.DFH3 Class B'-B' Diesel-Hydraulics, www.railography.co.uk

North Korea Between 2000 and 2002, thirty second-hand DFH3 were imported by the Korean State Railway for operation in North Korea,朝鲜铁路机车车辆概况一览 numbered 내연901 to 내연930, although 내연903 is a Beijing class locomotive.Kokubu, Hayato, 将軍様の鉄道 (Shōgun-sama no Tetsudō), Many are still in their original Chinese livery of blue and white, but some have been repainted into several different liveries, including the standard North Korean light blue over dark green, along with non-standard schemes of white over green, green with a yellow stripe, and green with a white stripe.

Dongfanghong 4

The Qishuyan Ziyang Diesel locomotive works manufactured six locomotives of type DFH4 between 1969 and 1981. The first unit was produced in 1969 with an overall machine with twin engine and hydraulic transmission. Two machines were produced in 1971 and 1974. Between 1975 and 1981 the CRRC Ziyang plant investigated the manufacture of further locomotives using the 12V200ZJ engine.东方红4型(DFH4)内燃机车, Donfang Hong (DFH4) Diesel locomotive, Fjsen

Preserved locomotives One unit, locomotive number DFH1 4290 is an exhibit at the Beijing China Railway Museum, all other units have been destroyed东方红1型机车安家铁博 (information on the preservation of DFH1 4290), www.tieliu.com.cn except DFH1 4222 which is believed to be at the locomotive museum in Shenyang.Preserved Locomotives , www.railwaysofchina.com The Beijing museum also stores DFH3 0009.

See also China Railways DFH shunting locomotives, Contemporary Chinese diesel-hydraulic locomotives used primarily for shunting

References