China Railways QJ
Encyclopedia
The QJ was a type of heavy freight steam locomotive
used by China Railways
. The majority were made by Datong locomotive factory
. The prototypes and early production of the class were designated HP (和平 Heiping, meaning 'peace'), being redesignated as FD class during the cultural revolution before becoming the QJ class in 1971.
The class became the primary mainline freight locomotive on the Chinese rail network by the 1980s, and were then displaced by diesel locomotives during the 1990s. After the end of steam on the national Chinese railway network many QJ locomotives were used on industrial lines, as well as on the Jitong railway
. Several of the class have been preserved.
The main tranche of production took place at Datong, beginning in 1964 starting with locomotive HP 101. A number of modifications were made to the locomotive including a new design of boiler, for the production version. The 500th QJ was built in 1968, the 1000th in 1970, the 2000th in 1974 and the 3000th in 1979, with production rates varying from 150 to over 300 per year between 1966 and 1985. Production ended in 1988.
In 1966 during the cultural revolution
the locomotives were given the class FD (反帝 Fandi meaning 'anti-imperialism'), after 1971 the class was renamed again becoming the QJ class (Qian Jin, meaning 'march forward' or 'progress').
The prototypes used 8 wheel tenders, while later production models used 12 wheel tenders.
QJs were equipped with mechanical stokers, feedwater heater
s, electric lights, and air horns
. Various modifications were used on some machines, including an ejector similar to the giesl type
and smoke deflectors
. One unit was used as a test bed for a 'Gas Producer Combustion System' (GPCS) in the 1980s.
A small number of locomotives were built to broad (Russian) 1520mm gauge.
classes. From the late 1980s and through the 1990s the class were replaced by diesel locomotives. Steam traction officially ended on the Chinese national rail network in 2002, but a few units remained in use up to 2003 on minor lines.
The locomotives were also used on large passenger trains, when their high tractive power was advantageous.
After withdrawal from the Chinese national network many units were acquired by industrial railways as well as the regional Jitong railway
in Inner Mongolia which operated ~100 units. By 2005 the Jitong railway had also replaced the QJ locomotives with diesel engines. Some remained in use on industrial lines in China in 2010.
in the USA
, numbers 6988 and 7081 (both former Jitong Railway). A third, number 7040 (re-numbered to 2008), runs on the R.J. Corman Railroad Group
.
Iowa Interstate 7081 retains its original Chinese appearance with the exception of the Jitong lettering and logo being replaced with the Iowa Interstate's, and the mandatory changes required by U.S. law such as hand rails and a bell. IAIS 6988 was "Americanized" in time for operation at Train Festival 2011 in Rock Island, Ill. The diesel-style bell originally installed when it arrived in Iowa was replaced with a steam engine type bell, the Chinese headlights were replaced with an American style light with a cast number plate under it, and an American steam whistle was installed. The steel sheet on the front was removed and all red paint was painted over in black, with white trim on the running boards, wheel rims, etc. The R.J. Corman locomotive has been heavily modified. Most notably the smoke deflectors have been removed along with new paint and skirts along the running boards.
.
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
used by China Railways
China Railways
China Railways is the national railway operator of the People's Republic of China, under the Chinese Ministry of Railways.China Railways operates rail commuter and freight transport via several smaller companies....
. The majority were made by Datong locomotive factory
Datong locomotive factory
Datong locomotive factory is a Chinese railway locomotive manufacturing plant based in Datong, Shanxi, China, founded 1953. The factory was a major producer of steam locomotives for the Chinese market up to the end of the 1980 when production switched to diesel powered locomotives...
. The prototypes and early production of the class were designated HP (和平 Heiping, meaning 'peace'), being redesignated as FD class during the cultural revolution before becoming the QJ class in 1971.
The class became the primary mainline freight locomotive on the Chinese rail network by the 1980s, and were then displaced by diesel locomotives during the 1990s. After the end of steam on the national Chinese railway network many QJ locomotives were used on industrial lines, as well as on the Jitong railway
Jitong railway
Jitong railway is a railway in Inner Mongolia, China opened in 1995. Its start point is at Jining and ends at Tongliao. The Jitong railway is a joint venture between China Railways and the government of Inner Mongolia....
. Several of the class have been preserved.
History and design
42 prototypes were made by Dalian locomotive works, Tangshan locomotive works, and Shenyang, Mudanjiang, Changchun and Datong locomotive factories between 1956 and 1960. Originally the locomotives were designated as the HP (Heiping meaning 'peace') class. The design is thought to be based in part on the russian LV class. (see Паровоз ЛВ russian).The main tranche of production took place at Datong, beginning in 1964 starting with locomotive HP 101. A number of modifications were made to the locomotive including a new design of boiler, for the production version. The 500th QJ was built in 1968, the 1000th in 1970, the 2000th in 1974 and the 3000th in 1979, with production rates varying from 150 to over 300 per year between 1966 and 1985. Production ended in 1988.
In 1966 during the cultural revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
the locomotives were given the class FD (反帝 Fandi meaning 'anti-imperialism'), after 1971 the class was renamed again becoming the QJ class (Qian Jin, meaning 'march forward' or 'progress').
The prototypes used 8 wheel tenders, while later production models used 12 wheel tenders.
QJs were equipped with mechanical stokers, feedwater heater
Feedwater heater
A feedwater heater is a power plant component used to pre-heat water delivered to a steam generating boiler. Preheating the feedwater reduces the irreversibilities involved in steam generation and therefore improves the thermodynamic efficiency of the system...
s, electric lights, and air horns
Train horn
Train horns are audible warning devices found on most diesel and electric locomotives. Their primary purpose is to alert persons and animals to the presence of a train, especially when approaching a grade crossing. They are also used for acknowledging signals given by railroad employees Train horns...
. Various modifications were used on some machines, including an ejector similar to the giesl type
Giesl ejector
A Giesl ejector is a suction draught system for steam locomotives that works on the same principle as a feedwater pump.This ejector was invented in 1951 by the Austrian engineer, Dr. Adolph Giesl-Gieslingen. The Giesl ejector ensures improved suction draught and a correspondingly better use of...
and smoke deflectors
Smoke deflectors
Smoke deflectors are vertical plates attached to the front of a steam locomotive on each side of the smokebox. They are designed to lift smoke away from the locomotive at speed so that the driver has better visibility unimpaired by drifting smoke....
. One unit was used as a test bed for a 'Gas Producer Combustion System' (GPCS) in the 1980s.
A small number of locomotives were built to broad (Russian) 1520mm gauge.
Work history
The class became the primary freight locomotive on both the primary and secondary lines of the Chinese railway network by the 1980s, having displacing both JF and FDChina Railways FD
The China Railways FD class of locomotives were 2-10-2 steam locomotives of the Russian FD locomotive type imported from Russia and regauged for use in China.-History:...
classes. From the late 1980s and through the 1990s the class were replaced by diesel locomotives. Steam traction officially ended on the Chinese national rail network in 2002, but a few units remained in use up to 2003 on minor lines.
The locomotives were also used on large passenger trains, when their high tractive power was advantageous.
After withdrawal from the Chinese national network many units were acquired by industrial railways as well as the regional Jitong railway
Jitong railway
Jitong railway is a railway in Inner Mongolia, China opened in 1995. Its start point is at Jining and ends at Tongliao. The Jitong railway is a joint venture between China Railways and the government of Inner Mongolia....
in Inner Mongolia which operated ~100 units. By 2005 the Jitong railway had also replaced the QJ locomotives with diesel engines. Some remained in use on industrial lines in China in 2010.
QJ Class in the United States
Two units withdrawn from use in China are owned by the Iowa Interstate RailroadIowa Interstate Railroad
The Iowa Interstate Railroad is a Class II railroad operating in the central United States. The railroad is owned by Railroad Development Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-History:...
in the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, numbers 6988 and 7081 (both former Jitong Railway). A third, number 7040 (re-numbered to 2008), runs on the R.J. Corman Railroad Group
R.J. Corman Railroad Group
R.J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC is a railroad holding company owned by Richard J. "Rick" Corman. Corman first established the company in 1973. It owns short-line railroad lines in seven states .-Lines Owned:R.J. Corman operates the following subsidiaries:*R.J...
.
Iowa Interstate 7081 retains its original Chinese appearance with the exception of the Jitong lettering and logo being replaced with the Iowa Interstate's, and the mandatory changes required by U.S. law such as hand rails and a bell. IAIS 6988 was "Americanized" in time for operation at Train Festival 2011 in Rock Island, Ill. The diesel-style bell originally installed when it arrived in Iowa was replaced with a steam engine type bell, the Chinese headlights were replaced with an American style light with a cast number plate under it, and an American steam whistle was installed. The steel sheet on the front was removed and all red paint was painted over in black, with white trim on the running boards, wheel rims, etc. The R.J. Corman locomotive has been heavily modified. Most notably the smoke deflectors have been removed along with new paint and skirts along the running boards.
Museums
Several of the class are on static display around China. The first prototype machine QJ-0001 and the first machine of the main production at Datong QJ-101 are displayed at the China Railway MuseumChina Railway Museum
The China Railway Museum is a Chinese museum preserving locomotives built in the People's Republic of China since 1949. The museum offers a total exhibition space of 16500m² and 8 exhibition tracks....
.