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The JNR Class EF15 is a Japanese DC electric locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways from 1947 to November 1986.

History[]

The EF15 was designed to meet transportation needs immediately after the conclusion of World War II. Intended for freight service alongside the similar EF58 designed for passenger service, 202 locomotives were built from 1947 to 1958.

When these were introduced the EF15s were used on numerous major lines, such as the Tōkaidō and San'yō Main Lines. With the introduction of regional freight trains the EF15s would slowly be replaced; combined with their age withdrawal and scrapping of the locomotives began in 1978. On these lines, the EF15 would be replaced with newer EF60 locomotives. Operations centered in the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Jōetsu Line were stopped in the 1980s; the locomotives on the Tōhoku Main Line were replaced with EF64s.

By this point only the Hanwa Line and Kisei Main Line operated EF15s; most locomotives were replaced with EF60s with the 14 March 1985 timetable revision, with only three locomotives, EF15 123, EF15 158 and EF15 184 still in service. All three were retired on 1 November 1986 with the introduction of the revised timetable due to the abolition of freight trains on the Kisei Main Line, a few months before JNR's privatization and division in April 1987. Of these, EF15 158 remained registered on the fleet register, with its ownership passing to JR West when the JNR was privatized although it did not run any revenue services.

Four locomotives have been preserved, including EF15 158. EF15 192 was stored at the Ōmiya General Rolling Stock Center but was scrapped in 2017.

Design[]

The EF15s featured large box-shaped bodies with large top-mounted headlights.

Specifications[]

The EF15s used a nose suspension drive system. MT41 or MT42 traction motors were used on the locomotives. Numerous parts were shared with the EF58.

Preservation[]

The following Class EF15 locomotives have been preserved:

Number Manufacturer Equipment manufacturer Date manufactured Date retired Location Notes
EF15 120 Shin-Mitsubishi Jukōgyō Mitsubishi Electric 7 September 1954 19 January 1983 Shinkansen Park, Osaka, Japan Preserved near 21-73
EF15 158 Hitachi Hitachi 20 February 1958 31 October 2011 Aboshi General Rolling Stock Depot, Hyōgo, Japan Stored in shed; remained on JR West's fleet roster until October 2011
EF15 165 22 July 1958 28 October 1985 Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma, Japan Displayed outdoors; cosmetically restored 2024
EF15 198 Kisha Seizō Tōyō Denki 1 October 1958 10 February 1986 Nirasaki Central Park, Yamanashi, Japan Displayed outdoors, painted in light brown
EF15 168 Hitachi Hitachi 5 August 1958 23 August 1984 Ōmiya General Rolling Stock Center, Saitama, Japan
Tanōhatako Yachi, Osaka, Japan
Cab ends only; both preserved in different locations

The following Class EF15 locomotives were preserved in the past but have since been scrappwd:

Number Manufacturer Equipment manufacturer Date manufactured Date retired Last location Notes
EF15 192 Kawasaki Heavy Industries Kawasaki Sharyō 18 September 1958 20 November 1985 Ōmiya General Rolling Stock Center, Saitama, Japan Scrapped 2017

Gallery[]

JR Group motive power
JNR Diesel prototype DB10DC10DC11DD10
4-axle diesel DD11DD12DD13DD14DD15DD16DD17DD20DD21DD40DD41DD42DD50DD51DD53DD54DD90DD91DD92DD93
5-axle diesel DE10DE11DE15DE50
6-axle diesel DF40DF41DF50DF90DF91 (gen 1)DF91 (gen 2)DF92DF93
Shinkansen 911912
Narrow-gauge diesel Ke DB10Ke DB11
Early 2/4-axle freight electric AB10EB10ED10ED11ED12ED13ED14ED15ED16ED17ED18 (gen 1)ED18 (gen 2)ED19ED23ED24
Early 4-axle passenger electric ED50ED51ED52ED53ED54ED55ED56ED57
Early 6-axle freight electric EF10EF11EF12EF13EF14EF15EF16EF18
Early 6-axle passenger electric EF20EF50EF51EF52EF53EF54EF55EF56EF57EF58EF59HEF10HEF50
Early 8-axle electric EH10EH50HEH50HEH150
Early Abt rack rail electric EC40ED40ED41ED42
Acquired from private railways ED20ED21ED22ED25 (gen 1)ED25 (gen 2)ED26 (gen 1)ED26 (gen 2)ED27 (gen 1)ED27 (gen 2)ED28 (gen 1)ED28 (gen 2)ED29 (gen 1)ED29 (gen 2)ED30 (gen 1)ED31ED32ED33ED34ED35ED36ED37ED38Ke ED10DeKi 1RoKo 1DeKi 501RoKo 1000
DC 4-axle ED60ED61ED62ED63ED95
AC 4-axle ED44ED45ED70ED71ED72ED73ED74ED75ED76ED77ED78ED79ED90ED91ED93ED94
DC 6-axle EF60EF61EF62EF63EF64EF65EF66EF67EF90
AC 6-axle EF70EF71
Dual-current ED30 (gen 2)ED46ED92EF30EF80EF81
Other AH100
JR Group Dual-current electric ED500EF500EF510EH500
DC electric EF200EF210EH200
DC EMU M250
AC electric EH800
Diesel DD18DD19DB500DD200DF200ENR-1000
Hybrid HD300
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