The Class DB500 was developed to replace ageing
Class DE10 diesel-hydraulic locomotives used for shunting duties at smaller freight terminals such as Shimonoseki in
Yamaguchi Prefecture.[1] The locomotive has a single water-cooled four-cycle straight six-cylinder diesel engine, with a power output of 184 kW (247 hp), sufficient to haul 500-tonne (490-long-ton; 550-short-ton) trains.[1]
History
The Class DB500 entered service at Shimonoseki Freight Terminal from the start of the revised timetable on 4 March 2017.