JR Freight Class EH500

Class EH500

EH500-31 at Koriyama Rolling Stock Centre, August 2010
Type and origin
Power type Electric
Builder Toshiba
Build date 1997–
Specifications
UIC class Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo'
Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Length 25,000 mm (82 ft 0 in)
Width 2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Height 3,917 mm (12 ft 10.2 in)
Loco weight 134.2 t
Electric system(s) 1,500 V DC & 20 kV (50/60 Hz) AC
Traction motors AC
Safety systems ATS-SF
Performance figures
Maximum speed 110 km/h (70 mph)
Power output 4 MW (5,400 hp)
Tractive effort 24,551 kgf (240,760 N; 54,130 lbf)
Career
Operators JR Freight
Number in class 82+
Delivered September 1997
Disposition Still in production

The Class EH500 (EH500形) is a Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo' wheel arrangement multi-system AC/DC two-unit electric locomotive type operated by JR Freight in Japan since 1997.[1][2]

Operations

The locomotives are built at the Toshiba factory in Fuchū, Tokyo. Initially, they were all based at Sendai depot for use on long-distance container trains from the Tokyo area to Hokkaido via the Tohoku Main Line, replacing DC Class EF65s south of Kuroiso, pairs of AC Class ED75s north of Kuroiso, and pairs of AC Class ED79s through the Seikan Tunnel.[1]

In 2004, locomotives EH500-25 and EH500-27 were loaned in turn to Moji depot in Kitakyushu for trials. From 2007, a number of EH500s were transferred to Moji depot for use on 1,300 tonne freight trains between Honshu and Kyushu through the Kanmon Tunnel, replacing ageing AC Class ED76s and dual-voltage EF81-300s and EF81-400s.

As of 2013, the fleet totalled 82 locomotives (EH500-901 and EH500-1 to EH500-81).[1] Locomotives EH500-45 to EH500-50 are based at Moji Depot, and all other members of the class are based at Sendai.[3]

Variants

EH500-901

The prototype, EH500-901, was delivered to Sendai depot in September 1997 for extensive testing on the Tohoku Main Line and Kaikyo Line until March 1999.[2] The livery is red and grey with black cab surrounds.[2] It joined the rest of the Class EH500 fleet for use on revenue services from the start of the March 2000 timetable revision.[2] "Kintaro Eco-Power" logos were added to the sides from December 2002.[2]

1st batch: EH500-1 and EH500-2

Two pre-series locomotives, EH500-1 and EH500-2, were delivered in March 2000.[2] These locomotives are finished in a livery of maroon and grey with black cab surrounds.[2]

2nd batch: EH500-3 to EH500-9

Built from March 2000 to January 2001. The headlamps were moved to a higher position to reduce problems of blockage by snow.[1] New "Kintaro Eco-Power" logos were added to the sides.

3rd batch: EH500-10 onward

Locomotives from EH500-10 (delivered in August 2001) onward are painted in a revised colour scheme using bright red instead of the earlier maroon colour. The black colour around the cab windows was also discontinued.[1] Locomotives numbered EH500-15 onwards have narrower surrounds on the front-end headlight boxes, and the front-end white band is also correspondingly slightly thinner.[1]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to JR Freight EH500.
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 JR機関車カタログ [JR Locomotive Catalogue]. Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. 20 June 2013. pp. 72–74. ISBN 9784863207271.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. pp. 53–54. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  3. ↑ JR気動車客車編成表 2013 [JR DMU & Coaching Stock Formations - 2013]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 30 June 2013. p. 144. ISBN 978-4-330-37813-8.
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