Red Flag 5000-8/1 class locomotive

The Red Flag 5000-8/1 (붉은기, Pulg'ŭn'gi) is a class of universal mainline electric locomotives built by the Kim Chong-t'ae Electric Locomotive Works for the Korean State Railway.

Red Flag 5000-8/1
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderKim Chong-t'ae Works
 North Korea
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICBo'Bo'Bo'
 • CommonwealthBo-Bo-Bo
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Loco weight120,000 kg (260,000 lb)
Electric system/s3,000 V DC
Current pickup(s)Pantographs
Traction motors530 kW ​
 • Continuous1140 A
Train brakesrheostatic and straight air brakes
CouplersAAR knuckle
Performance figures
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
continuous: 49 km/h (30 mph)
Power output:
 • Continuous4,326 horsepower (3,226 kW)
Career
OperatorsNorth Korea Korean State Railway
Class붉은기 (5000-8/1)
Pulg'ŭn'gi 5000-8/1
Number in class≥41
Numbers붉은기5397-5399,
붉은기5401 - 붉은기5440
[1]

In 1981, the Korean State Railway took delivery of seven Francorail-MTE CSE26-21 diesel locomotives from France, followed by five more in 1985.[2][page needed] Due to oil shortages in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was decided to develop a new electric locomotive based on these diesels. Like all locomotive development in the DPRK, this work was carried out by the Kim Chong-t'ae Electric Locomotive Works in P'yŏngyang.[3]

Apparently intended as a replacement for the Red Flag 1-class locomotives, these locomotives, of which at least 41 have been built, incorporate components copied from the original French parts. Used for mainline passenger and freight service, they are painted in the standard light blue over dark green livery, or its newer light green/dark green variant.

Named locomotive

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There is one known named locomotive:

  • Commemoration of the 7th Congress of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (조선직업총동맹 제7차대회기념호, Chosonjigopchongdongmaeng che7chadaehoekinyom-ho), numbered 5437, painted in light green over dark green.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "자강력제일주의정신이 낳은 빛나는 창조물(3)". DPRK Today. 2016-06-02. Archived from the original on 2022-01-16.
  2. ^ Kokubu, Hayato (January 2007). 将軍様の鉄道 (in Japanese). Shōgun-sama no Tetsudō. ISBN 978-4-10-303731-6.
  3. ^ "3大革命展示館" [3 Revolution Exhibition Hall]. 2427junction.com (in Chinese).
  4. ^ "억세게 이어지는 자력갱생의 전통". www.uriminzokkiri.com. Archived from the original on 2021-09-30. Retrieved 2021-09-30.