The JNR Class EF52 is a Japanese DC electric locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways from 1928 to August 1975.
History[]
The EF52 was one of Japan's earliest domestically-produced electric locomotives. Designed using data gathered from previous electric locomotives operated in Japan, which were generally imported from the United States and Europe, a unified standard was intended to be set for future locomotives as these imported electric locomotives usually had reliability problems and a lack of spare parts as they had to be imported from overseas and the locomotives were imported in small volumes, with the Domestic Electric Locomotive Project started in 1925 in an attempt to get Japanese locomotive manufacturers to design and develop their own electric locomotives.
Full-scale development of what would become the EF52 was started in May 1927, initially as a freight locomotive; the specifications were changed slightly to allow the locomotives to pull passenger trains as well. The first locomotive, EF52 1, was manufactured by Hitachi in May 1928 and after some initial performance tests, full scale production was allowed to proceed; a total of nine locomotives were manufactured from 1928 to 1931, numbered EF52 1 through EF52 9. EF52 8 and EF52 9 were constructed with slightly different specifications, allowing for faster speeds; they were renumbered EF54 1 and 2 in 1932.
When initially introduced, the locomotives were used to pull fast passenger trains on the Tōkaidō Main Line, with the data used from these locomotives used to develop domestic electric locomotives further. After the Pacific War they were relocated for use on the Chūō Main Line and the Hanwa Line before finally being relocated to Ryūge Rolling Stock Depot. Replacements of the class began in 1973, with EF58s taking their place; the locomotives were withdrawn on 24 August 1975, with EF52 2 and EF52 7 pulling a special service, uncommon at the time for electric locomotives.
Two locomotives, EF52 1 and EF52 7, have been preserved.
Design[]
The EF52s featured large box-shaped bodies with large top-mounted headlights.
Specifications[]
The EF52s used a nose suspension drive system. MT17 traction motors were used on the locomotives.
Preservation[]
The following Class EF52 locomotives have been preserved:
| Number | Manufacturer | Equipment manufacturer | Date manufactured | Date retired | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF52 1 | Hitachi | Hitachi | 5 September 1928 | 23 February 1973 | Kyoto Railway Museum, Kyoto, Japan | Displayed indoors; formerly located at Takatori Works and the Modern Transportation Museum |
| EF52 7 | Kawasaki Shipyards | Kawasaki Sharyō | 1928 | 24 August 1975 | Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing Hyōgo Plant, Hyōgo, Japan | Last operational EF52, displayed under shelter on company grounds; not open for public viewing |
Gallery[]
