Chichibu Railway Class DeKi 500

Chichibu Railway Class DeKi 500

DeKi 507 on a limestone working in June 2011
Type and origin
Power type Electric
Builder Hitachi
Build date 1973-1980
Total produced 7
Specifications
UIC classification Bo-Bo
Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Locomotive weight 50 t
Electric system(s) 1,500 V DC
Current collection
method		 overhead wire
Performance figures
Power output 920 kW
Career
Operator(s) Chichibu Railway
Number in class 7
Number(s) DeKi 501–507
Locale Saitama Prefecture
Disposition Operational

The Chichibu Railway Class DeKi 500 (秩父鉄道デキ500形) is a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement DC electric locomotive type operated by the private railway operator Chichibu Railway in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, primarily on freight services, since 1973.[1]

As of 1 April 2014, all of the original seven locomotives are in operation.[2]

History

The first two locomotives, DeKi 501 and 502, were built in 1973, based on the earlier Class DeKi 300 design.[1] These locomotives were finished in then-standard blue Chichibu Railway livery from new, as opposed to the brown livery initially carried by earlier classes.[1] Locomotives DeKi 503 and 504 were delivered in March 1979 ahead of the opening of the Mikajiru Freight Line in October of the same year.[1] These locomotives had larger cab end windows and sunvisors above the cab windows.[1] The last three locomotives of the class, DeKi 505 to 507 were delivered in 1980.[1] DeKi 507 is unique among the class in being privately owned by Taiheiyo Cement, and its introduction in 1980 allowed the similarly privately owned DeKi 101 to be transferred to Chichibu Railway ownership.[1]

Fleet details

Number Manufacturer Year built Year withdrawn Notes
DeKi 501 Hitachi 1973
DeKi 502 Hitachi 1973
DeKi 503 Hitachi 1979
DeKi 504 Hitachi 1979
DeKi 505 Hitachi 1980 Repainted into brown livery, May 2010
DeKi 506 Hitachi 1980
DeKi 507 Hitachi 1980 Privately owned by Taiheiyo Cement

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chichibu Railway Deki 500.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 ELダイヤ情報21 [Electric Loco Timetable Information 21]. Tokyo, Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. October 2012. p. 75-75. ISBN 978-4330320120.
  2. ↑ 私鉄車両編成表 2014 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2014]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 24 July 2014. p. 17. ISBN 978-4-330-48414-3.