Summary of the Development History of Railway Locomotives

As the core power device of railway transportation, the development history of railway locomotives spans from the Industrial Revolution to the present. They have undergone technological iterations from steam drive to internal combustion drive and electric drive, and ultimately moved towards the modern stage of intelligence and greenness. The following are the key stages and characteristics of its development:

I. The Steam Locomotive Era (Early 19th Century - Mid-20th Century)
The steam locomotive is the origin of railway locomotives. It is powered by the steam produced by the combustion of coal and initiated the "steam age" of railway transportation.

Origin and Early Development: In 1804, British engineer Trevizick manufactured the first rail steam locomotive. In 1814, George Stephenson improved the first practical steam locomotive, the "Blazer". In 1825, the "Voyager" designed by him was successfully trial-run on the Stockton-Darlington Railway in the UK, marking the official birth of railway transportation.
Technological breakthroughs: In the mid-to-late 19th century, steam locomotives enhanced their traction and thermal efficiency by increasing the number of driving wheels, improving boilers and reexpansion techniques (such as the Marit joint locomotive in Switzerland). In 1938, the British steam locomotive "Wild Duck" set a speed record of 203 kilometers per hour for steam locomotives.
China's steam locomotives: In 1876, China's first steam locomotive, the "Pioneer", was introduced along the Wusong Railway. In 1952, Sifang Locomotive Works produced the first domestically made "Jiefang type" steam locomotive. In 1956, the "Forward type" became the main freight steam locomotive in China. Production ceased in 1988, and steam locomotives gradually withdrew from the historical stage.
Ii. The Era of Diesel Locomotives (Early 20th Century - Late 20th Century)
Diesel locomotives, powered by diesel engines, are gradually replacing steam locomotives with their higher efficiency and lower maintenance costs.

Global Development: In 1924, the Soviet Union produced the first electrically driven diesel locomotive. In 1925, the United States put it into use for shunting. After World War II, advancements in diesel engine technology (such as turbocharging) drove up the power of diesel locomotives, making them the main force in long-distance transportation.
China's diesel locomotives: In 1958, Dalian Locomotive Works produced the first "Julong" electric drive diesel locomotive by imitating the Soviet T-3 model. Subsequently, domestic models such as "Jianshe" and "Xianxing" were developed. Since 1964, the Dongfeng series (such as Dongfeng Type 1 and Dongfeng Type 4) have become the main force in trunk freight transportation. The Dongfanghong series (hydraulic transmission) is applied in passenger transport and shunting. By the end of the 20th century, diesel locomotives and electric locomotives jointly dominated China's railway transportation.