China Railways 6K

The 6K is a Japanese-built electric locomotive used in China. It is developed and built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Electric. The design of 6K is based on JNR Class ED75 and EF66 electric locomotives. It is the first locomotive with Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement used in China.

6K
6K-052
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Kawasaki Heavy Industries Build date 1986-1987 Total produced 85
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo'Bo'Bo' Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Length 22.2 m (72 ft 10 in) Axle load 23 t (22.6 long tons; 25.4 short tons) Loco weight 138 t (135.8 long tons; 152.1 short tons) Electric system/s 25 kV AC Catenary Current pickup(s) Pantograph Traction motors Mitsubishi Electric MB-530-AVR
Performance figures Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph) Power output 4,800 kW (6,400 hp) Tractive effort 485 kN (109,000 lbf) (starting) 355 kN (80,000 lbf) (continuous)
Career Operators China Railway Numbers 6K-001-6K-086

Production

In total 85 6Ks were built between 1986 and 1987.

Equipment

Each 6K locomotive uses CLG-616 phase splitter and 6 Mitsubishi Electric MB-530-AVR DC traction motors.

Performance

6K was one of the most reliable electric locomotives in China compared with SS1, SS2 and SS3 at the time of entering service. China later made SS7 locomotive with reference to the Tri-Bo wheel arrangement of 6K, the breakdown rate, however, was still high, until its modified version SS7B, SS7C and SS7D designed.

Preservation

6K-002 at the China Railway Museum

• 6K-001: is preserved at Luoyang Locomotive Depot, Zhengzhou Railway Bureau
• 6K-002: is preserved at China Railway Museum

See also

• China Railways SS7

External links

• Product information (Kawasaki)
• 6K (Railways of China)