The JNR Class EF55 is a Japanese DC electric locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways and its successor the East Japan Railway Company from 1936 to January 2009.
History[]
The EF55 was designed taking advantage of the streamliner boom, when many countries were streamlining their locomotives. Three locomotives were built in 1936, one each by Hitachi, Kawasaki Sharyō and Nippon Sharyo, numbered EF55 1 through EF55 3.
Initially stationed at Numazu, the EF55s were used for limited express services and other passenger trains, but also occasionally hauled freight and mail and even some towing duties. The EF55s were also noted to be a maintenance nightmare, with the streamlining hindering the convenience of maintenance and increasing costs, along with a need to turn locomotives around at turntables in regular use and placing overhead lines over the turntables. Despite this, their sleek and elegant design won them many fans and helped boost the JNR's morale.
This continuous need to keep turning the locomotives during regular use was the death knell for the class, with the EF55s seeing less use with the introduction of newer locomotives; in 1952, the locomotives were transferred to Takasaki Rolling Stock Depot, where they remained until 1958 when they were largely withdrawn from regular service. EF55 3 was scrapped in 1962, with its parts cannibalized for the ED30 electric locomotive, while EF55 2 was scrapped the next year. EF55 1 remained in storage at Takasaki Rolling Stock Depot, where its condition deteriorated; it would be restored to operational condition in 1986.
When the JNR was privatized and split in 1987, JR East took ownership of EF55 1. It would be used on special services until 2009 and after a number of farewell runs it was stored at Takasaki Rolling Stock Depot. EF55 1 was later relocated to The Railway Museum in April 2015 and struck from JR East's fleet register; it remains there today on static display.
Design[]
The EF55 featured a streamlined end and a conventionally-shaped end. The streamlined end takes inspiration from "cutting-edge" streamlined locomotives in other countries.
Their streamlined design followed in the veins of the streamlined Class C53 steam locomotive C53 43 and C55 steam locomotives C55 20 through C55 40, as well as the 52 series electric multiple units and the KiHa 43000 series diesel multiple units all constructed around the same time.
Specifications[]
The EF55s used a nose suspension drive system. The locomotives featured an asymmetrical wheel arrangement. MT28A traction motors were used on the locomotives.
Preservation[]
The following Class EF55 locomotives have been preserved:
| Number | Manufacturer | Equipment manufacturer | Date manufactured | Date retired | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF55 1 | Hitachi | Hitachi | 30 March 1936 | 18 January 2009 | The Railway Museum, Saitama, Japan | Displayed indoors |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The locomotives are commonly nicknamed "Moomin" due to their appearance.
- EF55 1 was hit by machine gun fire during World War II; bullet holes can be seen from inside the locomotive on the ceiling of the cab.