The JNR Class EF80 is a Japanese dual-current electric locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways from 1962 to 1986.
History[]
The EF80 was developed specifically as a dual-current development of existing JNR electric locomotives. The second mass-produced dual-current electric locomotives operated by the JNR, a total of 63 locomotives were manufactured between 1962 and 1967; some changes were made to the locomotives near the end of their production run.
Deployed around the Tokyo area, the EF80s were mainly used on the Jōban Line and the general Mito area. These were often used to pull freight trains but also pulled the Towada sleeper express trains and other types of passenger trains. These were also known to have been used on the Tōhoku Main Line and the Ryōmō Line, the latter being used to carry construction materials to construct Narita International Airport. In the 1980s, the EF80s were replaced with EF81s, a further development of dual-current locomotives; with the EF81s being deployed to the Jōban Line the EF80s were moved to the Tabata region. All locomotives were withdrawn by 1986, a year before JNR's privatization and division.
EF80 63, the last EF80 built, is the only preserved EF80; it is located at the Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park. EF80 36 was also preserved at Omiya General Rolling Stock Center but was scrapped in 2017; prior to this it was exhibited at events conducted within the premises.
Design[]
The EF80s featured large box-shaped bodies with two circular headlights mounted on top. The locomotives feature an expanded equipment bay due to dual-voltage equipment.
Specifications[]
The EF80s used a Quill drive system. MT53 traction motors were used on the locomotives.
Dead weight was installed in the locomotives to make them weigh similar to a passenger-hauling locomotive.
Preservation[]
The following Class EF80 locomotives have been preserved:
Number | Manufacturer | Equipment manufacturer | Date manufactured | Date retired | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EF80 63 | Hitachi | Hitachi | 25 February 1967 | 18 January 1986 | Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma, Japan | Last EF80 built; displayed outdoors |
The following Class EF80 locomotives were preserved in the past but have since been scrapped:
Number | Manufacturer | Equipment manufacturer | Date manufactured | Date retired | Last location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EF80 36 | Hitachi | Hitachi | 4 April 1963 | 18 January 1986 | Ōmiya General Rolling Stock Center, Saitama, Japan | Scrapped October 2017 |