JNR Class ED71

JNR Class ED71
ED71 37 in October 2023
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Hitachi, Shin-Mitsubishi Jukōgyō, Toshiba
Constructed	1959 – 1963
Number built	55
Classification	B-B
Dimensions	14,405 mm × 2,805 mm × 4,240 mm
Gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Current collector	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	20 kV AC (50 Hz)
Traction system	Multi-stage control using a combination of phase control and high voltage tap changers
Service information
In service	1959 – 22 November 1982
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	ED71 1 – ED71 55
Scrapped	1978 – 1982, 2020
Preservation information
Preserved	1
Number scrapped	54

The JNR Class ED71 is a Japanese AC electric locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways from 1959 to November 1982.

History

The ED71 was designed specifically for use on the Tōhoku Main Line due to the use of AC electrification on that line. The locomotives themselves were based on the ED70, JNR's first AC electric locomotive produced in volume.

Fifty-five locomotives were built from 1959 to 1963; unlike the ED70s which were only manufactured by Mitsubishi, the ED71s were manufactured by three different manufacturers to draw comparisons between them. When introduced, these locomotives were a mainstay on the Tōhoku Main Line, used to pull passenger trains and act as pusher locomotives. ED71 2 was involved in an accident in 1966 and scrapped. When the ED75 locomotives were introduced in 1963 they complemented them in service but replaced some of the locomotives on services such as the Hatsukuru passenger service.

From 1977, the locomotives were replaced by the ED75 in service and were gradually withdrawn from service beginning in 1978. The last operation of an ED71 was on 22 November 1982, with a round trip local service.

ED71 37, located near Funaoka Station on the Tōhoku Main Line, is the only preserved ED71. ED71 1 was also preserved in the past but has since been scrapped.

Design

The ED71s featured large box-shaped bodies with a large circular headlight mounted on the top of the cars.

Specifications

The ED71s used a Quill drive system. MT101 traction motors were used on the locomotives.

Preservation

The following Class ED71 locomotives have been preserved:

Image	Number	Manufacturer	Equipment manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired	Location	Notes
	ED71 37	Hitachi	Hitachi	15 March 1961	24 March 1984	Funaoka Station, Miyagi, Japan	Displayed within fence coupled to OHaFu 61 2527

The following Class ED71 locomotives were preserved in the past but have since been scrapped:

Image	Number	Manufacturer	Equipment manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired	Last location	Notes
	ED71 1	Hitachi	Hitachi	15 March 1959	13 December 1976	Sendai General Shinkansen Depot, Sendai, Japan	Prototype locomotive, displayed outdoors; scrapped September 2019 with a number of other preserved locomotives