As of 1 April 2014[update], one (DeKi 201) out of the original three locomotives is in operation.[2] The locomotive is painted in a brown livery with gold lining,[2] and is primarily used as an assisting locomotive on steam-hauled SL Paleo Express services and on empty stock movements.[1]
History
Three locomotives, DeKi 201 to 203, were built in 1963 to provide additional capacity hauling limestone trains on the Chichibu Main Line.[1] The design was broadly based on the earlier Class DeKi 100 locomotives, with four 230 kW traction motors instead of the earlier 200 kW motors.[1]
DeKi 201 in earlier Paleo Express dark green livery in April 2006
Resale
DeKi 203 on the Sangi Railway, August 2008
In July 2000, two Class DeKi 200 locomotives, DeKi 202 and 203 were sold to the Sangi Railway in Mie Prefecture, where they were used to haul trains of landfill during construction of the Chūbu Centrair International Airport.[1] The lack of ATS equipment meant that the locomotives could not run on the main line, and were finally withdrawn in March 2011.[1]
