A few days ago, on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway between Naqu and Lhasa, at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level, a striking blue-and-white heavy rail car was seen speeding along at over 100 kilometers per hour. This vehicle stands out not only for its eye-catching appearance but also for being the fastest in the country, equipped with the most advanced technical features. It is the only electric transmission heavy rail car that has passed the Ministry of Railways' technical review, serving as a critical support system for the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
Developed by the Yongji Motor Factory of China North Locomotive and Rolling Stock Industry Corporation, this first electric transmission heavy rail car was manufactured by the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Project Department of China Railway 12th Bureau Group. It is primarily used for construction and maintenance tasks on the railway. The design incorporates advanced concepts from mainline locomotives, such as standardized cabs, rolling bearings, mature bogie technology, and unit brakes. This ensures excellent performance and marks the first time such an electric drive system has been adopted in China.
To adapt to the harsh conditions of high altitude, low oxygen levels, and thin air, more than 20 modifications were made to the rail car. These included adding toilets, oxygen generators, UV-resistant glass, and electric heaters. During performance testing, the rail car achieved a top speed of 133 kilometers per hour, setting a national record.
With the implementation of China’s Medium and Long-term Railway Network Plan, high-speed and heavy-duty operations have become key trends in railway development. This has led to increased track deformation, intensifying the conflict between transportation and maintenance needs. Therefore, developing a heavy rail car capable of towing large maintenance equipment is essential to reduce maintenance time and improve efficiency and quality.
Previously, most heavy rail cars in China used mechanical or hydraulic transmissions, with speeds rarely exceeding 100 km/h. However, Yongji Motor Factory, with nearly 40 years of experience in traction electric drive technology, introduced a 470 kW high-power electric transmission heavy rail car on July 1, 2004. Designed for altitudes up to 4,000 meters, it had a design speed of 120 km/h.
After over a year of trial runs, the car was officially tested in August 2005 and passed the Ministry of Railways’ technical review. In November, a four-day comprehensive performance test was conducted on the Nantong Pu Line, achieving a maximum speed of 133 km/h. Following successful testing, the DCD470-001 electric transmission rail car was integrated into the Taiyuan Works Section. It demonstrated a maximum towing weight of 360 tons and a top speed of 100 km/h, operating effectively on slopes up to 33%.
On April 25, 2006, the 5,000-kilometer operational assessment was successfully completed, and the vehicle was inspected by the Ministry of Railways’ Quality Inspection Center. On June 22, the Ministry of Railways’ Science and Technology Department held a technical review meeting in Beijing, where experts from various institutions unanimously approved the DCD470 rail car, paving the way for mass production.
With the debut of this first heavy rail car on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, Yongji Motor Factory accelerated its R&D efforts in this market. The 1000 kW and 360 kW railcars have passed design reviews, and the GCD-1000 model has entered prototype manufacturing after passing the Ministry of Railways’ technical review. This marks a significant advancement in China’s vehicle system integration and manufacturing capabilities.
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