JNR Class DD54

The JNR Class DD54 is a diesel-hydraulic locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways from 1966 to December 1978.
==History==
Designed to promote JNR's campaign of a "smokeless railway" to eliminate steam locomotives on the Japanese National Railways as part of their Power Modernization Plan, the DD54s were developed as a type of freight locomotive for use on the Japanese rail network, with a haulage capacity somewhere between the DD51 and DE10 locomotives.
Using data gathered from the test running of the DD91 prototype locomotive built by Mitsubishi in 1962, a total of 40 locomotives were built from 1966 to 1971, also by Mitsubishi. Minor changes were made to the locomotives over the production run. The first three locomotives were placed at Fukuchiyama Rolling Stock Depot and used on the San'in Main Line, pulling express trains and freight trains. By 1971 the entire production run of 40 locomotives was completed, stationed at both Fukuchiyama and Yonago Rolling Stock Depots.
Prone to numerous reliability issues and breakdowns, the DD54s were reviled by engineers; accounts from engineers state that train crews operating DD54s were provided earplugs as their prime movers were so incredibly loud, and others stating that they refused to drive the locomotives knowing that something would go wrong. It was common for inspectors to ride alongside train crews in the DD54s, replacing parts when they failed. The locomotives's continued reliability issues were the death knell for the class, with all withdrawn by 1978, significantly earlier than projected and significantly before JNR's privatization and division; as a result, the locomotives are considered a failure. After their retirement, the National Diet held a question-and-answer session with the JNR regarding their asset management.
DD54 33, located at the Kyoto Railway Museum, is the only preserved DD54. It was initially stored at Fukuchiyama Rolling Stock Depot before moving to the Modern Transportation Museum; when that museum closed in 2014, it was moved to the Kyoto Railway Museum, where it currently resides.
==Design==
The DD54 featured a semi-streamlined design, being painted in red with silver accents. Two sets of headlights are mounted on the sides of the cabs.
==Specifications==
The DD54 was fitted with a single high-output DMP86Z V16 prime mover producing about 1,820 HP (1,357 kW), mated to a DW5 hydraulic transmission. The engine and transmission were copies of the Maybach MD870 prime mover and Mekydro K184U hydraulic transmission, produced under license by Mitsubishi.
==Preservation==
The following Class DD54 locomotives have been preserved:
Number 	Manufacturer 	Date manufactured	Date retired 	Location 	Notes
DD54 33	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries	22 June 1971 	1 December 1978	Kyoto Railway Museum, Kyoto, Japan	Displayed under shelter; formerly located at the Modern Transportation Museum
==Gallery==
File:JNR DD54 33 2023.jpg
File:DD54 33 2013.jpg
==Trivia==
* It is believed by many Japanese railfans that the number "54" on a locomotive is jinxed. While the Class ED54 electric locomotive is often cited as the prime example for the jinx, the DD54 is also cited due to its dogged history and sharing the same classification.
Category:JR Group trains
Category:B-1-B locomotives
Category:Diesel locomotives
Category:Diesel-hydraulic locomotives
Category:Mitsubishi locomotives
Category:Japanese locomotives
Category:Sole survivor