JNR Class DD14

The JNR Class DD14 is a diesel-hydraulic locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways and its various successors since 1960.
==History==
The DD14 was designed as a dedicated snow-clearing locomotive; these were the first dedicated snow-clearing locomotives operated by the JNR. A total of 43 locomotives were produced by Kisha Seizō and its successor Kawasaki Heavy Industries; some specification changes were made after DD14 1 through 8 were manufactured, with these changes implemented on what is known as the DD14-300. In addition to snow clearing duties, the DD14 was also used for occasional switching jobs. When the JNR was privatized and split in 1987, JR East, West and Hokkaido took ownership of the DD14s.
JR Hokkaido withdrew their fleet of DD14s in 1996 with the closure of the Shinmei Line and JR West, which had been using the locomotives around the Hokuriku Region, withdrew their fleet in 2002. Most of JR East's locomotives would be used until 2007 when they were replaced by ENR-1000 snow clearing locomotives, while also withdrawing the DE15 and DD16 from service in the process; following this five locomotives remained in service, DD14 310, DD14 327 and DD14 332 through 334. DD14 333 was retired in 2008, DD14 334 was retired in 2010, DD14 332 was retired in 2015 while DD14 327 was retired in 2020; DD14 310 remains on JR East's fleet roster although it has been out of service for some time. The locomotive is located at Morioka Shinkansen Rolling Stock Center and is rarely seen.
Four locomotives have been preserved. One locomotive, DD14 331, was moved to Taiwan and is used for switching purposes with its snowplow removed.
==Design==
The DD14s featured a semi-streamlined design, being painted in red with silver accents. A large headlight is mounted on the top of the cab.
==Specifications==
The DD14s are fitted with two V12 prime movers, designated the DMF31SB-R. Total power output is about 2,200 PS (1,600 kW). The DD14 uses a a Shinko DS1.2/1.35 hydraulic transmission; the transmission works similarly to a Lysholm-Smith hydraulic torque converter and features two speeds and a single direct gear. The locomotive itself is heavily based on the DD13, while the snowplow is a Beilhack-type snowplow.
==Preservation==
The following Class DD14 locomotives have been preserved:
Number 	Manufacturer 	Date manufactured	Date retired 	Location 	Notes
DD14 1 	Kisha Seizō 	13 January 1961 	2 February 1987 	Mikasa Railway Memorial Hall, Mikasa, Hokkaido, Japan 	Displayed outdoors with snowplow
DD14 312	Kisha Seizō 	16 February 1971 	30 December 1988	Okhotsk Railway History Preservation Society, Kitami, Hokkaido, Japan	Displayed outdoors with snowplow
DD14 323	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	23 July 1976 	1 April 1993 	Otaru City General Museum, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan 	Displayed outdoors with snowplow
DD14 332	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	19 October 1979 	31 July 2003 	Niitsu Railway Museum, Niigata, Japan 	Displayed under shelter with snowplow
Category:JR Group trains
Category:B-B locomotives
Category:Diesel locomotives
Category:Diesel-hydraulic locomotives
Category:Kawasaki locomotives
Category:Kisha Seizō locomotives
Category:Japanese locomotives