The JR Freight Class EH500 is a semi-permanently-coupled dual-voltage electric locomotive operated by the Japan Freight Railway Company since 1997.
Operations[]
Built at the Toshiba factory in Fuchu, Tokyo, 82 examples of the EH500 Class are in service as of 2017 (prototype EH500-901 and EH500-1 to EH500-81). Originally based out of Sendai depot for operation on long-distance container trains between Tokyo and Hokkaido via the Tohoku Main Line, they served as replacements for the aging EF65, ED76 and ED79 AC and DC electrics.
In 2004, EH500-25 and EH500-27 of the 3rd production batch were briefly loaned by JR Freight to Moji depot in Kitakyushu for a number of experimental trials, where a number of the class were later transferred from 2007 onward for use on 1,300-ton freight trains between Honshu and Kyushu, displacing the elder ED76 and EF81 dual-voltage electrics.
Design[]
The prototype, EH500-901 livery is red and grey with black cab surrounds.
The early batch, EH500-1 and EH500-2 locomotives are finished in a livery of maroon and grey with black cab surrounds.
The second batch, EH500-3 to EH500-9 headlights moved to higher position to prevent blockage by snow in Tohoku Region, but still retaining the original livery with new "Kintaro Eco-Power" logos were added to the sides.
Locomotives from EH500-10 (delivered in August 2001) onward are painted in a revised colour scheme using bright red instead of the earlier maroon colour. The black colour around the cab windows was also discontinued. Locomotives numbered EH500-15 onwards have narrower surrounds on the front-end headlight boxes, and the front-end white band is also correspondingly slightly thinner.
Gallery[]
Classification[]
- E: Electric locomotive
- H: Eight driving axles (Bo'Bo' + Bo'Bo')
- 500: AC / DC locomotive (1,500 V & 20 kV) with AC motors