In spite of its central European appearance, the GJ was a Chinese product. Dalian Works designed the GongJian, or Construction Worker, class in 1957 and production started at Taiyuan in 1958. Taiyuan Works constructed 46 locos and Chengdu Works 76 before production ceased in 1961. The GJ was intended for industrial use. Like the American built XK2 and Polish ET7 and XK13 classes, many GJs served the steel industry, while others acted as pilots at railway workshops and other industrial locations. At Sujiatun Locomotive Works GJ 1018 was reported as works pilot as late as March 2006.
