The JNR Class EH10 is a Japanese articulated DC electric locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways from 1954 to 1981.
History[]
The EH10 was developed specifically as a powerful locomotive that would be significantly more powerful than the EF15 locomotives that were in use at the time. Built from 1954 to 1957, a total of 64 locomotives were built.
Consisting of two B-B locomotives permanently coupled together, the EH10s were the largest and most powerful electric locomotives used by the JNR and were nicknamed "Mammoths" as a result. Their power output was put to use, pulling heavy and long freight trains on the Tōkaidō Main Line, along with faster express freight services. EH10 15, experimentally fitted with high-speed traction motors, was used for a high-speed test on 5 December 1955; it achieved a speed of 120 km/h (74.6 mph). Other tests were performed with EH10 15 until 1958, when it was converted to full-production standards by 1960.
By the 1960s, EH10s also served the San'yō Main Line, although most had been relegated to standard freight trains as they were too fast and too powerful to handle container trains; they were replaced by the EF60 in most regards. EH10 51 was lent to Itozaki Rolling Stock Depot for training purposes but was considered too powerful, being replaced with EF59 and EF61-200 locomotives in this regard. Withdrawals began in 1975 due to aging and the difficulty in adapting the locomotives to other lines; all locomotives were withdrawn by 1981.
EH10 61, located at Higashi-Awaji Minami Park in Osaka, is the only preserved EH10. The locomotive is usually fenced up and is in average cosmetic condition.
Design[]
The EH10s featured a "Shōnan style" design, being semi-streamlined with a large headlight mounted on the top. Its design was penned by industrial designer Masao Hagiwara; this was one of the first JNR locomotives where its exterior design was outsourced to an external designer.
Specifications[]
The EH10s used a nose suspension drive system. The locomotives use eight MT43 traction motors. The locomotives are heavily based on the EF15. These were the first JNR locomotives to be fitted with a snowplow-shaped front pilot.
EH10 15 was fitted with Toshiba SE174 traction motors for use for high-speed tests; the locomotive was converted to full-production standards by 1960.
Preservation[]
The following Class EH10 locomotives have been preserved:
| Number | Manufacturer | Equipment manufacturer | Date manufactured | Date retired | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EH10 61 | Toshiba | Toshiba | 27 June 1957 | 4 February 1982 | Higashi-Awaji Minami Park, Osaka, Japan | Displayed within enclosure; enclosure occasionally opened |