Chongnyonjol Kinyom-class locomotive


The Ch'ŏngnyŏnjŏl Kinyŏm-class is composed of two groups of Bo-Bo electric locomotives operated by the Korean State Railway on passenger and freight trains throughout North Korea.
In 1981, the Korean State Railway took delivery of seven Francorail-MTE CSE26-21 diesel locomotives from France, followed by five more in 1985. Due to oil shortages in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was decided to convert these locomotives to 3,000 V DC electric operation, by removing the diesel engines and installing pantographs and other necessary electrical equipment; this work was carried out by the Kim Chong-t'ae Electric Locomotive Works in P'yŏngyang. The result of this were the prototypes of the 5400-series Red Flag Co-Co locomotives.
The Ch'ŏngnyŏnjŏl Kinyŏm-class locomotives have a body and chassis design derived from that of the CSE26-21, but other component, such as the bogies, are identical to those used on earlier Bo-Bo locomotives such as the Red Flag 2000-class. Two versions, externally nearly identical, have been built - the 4000 series, and the 90000 series.
At least 56 units of the 4000 series locomotives were built, and are used primarily for freight trains on mainlines; however, they do occasionally turn up on passenger trains. Most are painted in the standard light blue over dark green livery or its newer variant that replaces the light blue with light green, but some are painted cream over red; two units, 4020 and 4022, has been seen carrying a special "Kŭmgang-ho" inscription. One example, number 4054, is painted in a unique yellow over green livery, and has been on display at the Museum of the Three Revolutions in P'yŏngyang since it was built.
At least seven examples of the 90000 series are operated primarily as traction for mainline passenger trains, painted in the standard light blue over dark green livery.
A narrow-gauge version has also been built to operate on the Korean State Railway's electrified gauge lines, painted in a yellow and red scheme, but neither the designation, series number or number built are known.