JR Freight Class EH200

Infobox Locomotive
name=EH200
electricsystem=1,500 V DC
tractionmotors=AC
powertype=Electric


caption=EH200-4 at Ōmiya station, 2005-05-10
builddate=2001-
builder=Tōshiba
weight=134.4 tons
uicclass=Bo-Bo+Bo-Bo
gauge=1,067 mm
firstrundate=
disposition=Still in production
numinclass=21 (as of April 2008)
wheeldiameter=
poweroutput=4,520 kW
wheelbase=
tractiveeffort=271.8 kN
topspeed=110 km/h
length=25,000 mm
width=2,948 mm
height=3,960 mm
transmission=
railroad=JR Freight|

The EH200 class of electric locomotives are Bo-Bo+Bo-Bo wheel arrangement articulated DC freight locomotives operated by JR Freight in Japan.

The locomotives are built at the Tōshiba factory in Fuchū, Tokyo. They are all based at Takasaki depot, and are primarily used on oil tank trains north of Tōkyō and on the steeply-graded Chūō Main Line and Shinonoi Line, replacing pairs of EF64s.

As of 1 April 2008, the fleet totalled 21 locomotives (EH200-901 and EH200-1 to EH200-20). ["Japan Railfan Magazine" July 2008 issue]

Three EH200 locomotives are scheduled to be delivered during fiscal 2009. [ [http://www.jrfreight.co.jp/press/pdf/200806-02.pdf "平成２１年度の機関車の新製について" (Fiscal 2009 New Locomotive Orders), JR Freight news release, 11 June 2008] ]

Variants

EH200-901 prototype

The pre-production prototype, EH200-901, was delivered to Takasaki depot in 2001, and entered revenue service in October 2002 following extensive testing.

EH200-0 full-production version

Following evaluation of the prototype version, the first full-production locomotive, EH200-1, was delivered to Takasaki in March 2003. A number of minor improvements were incorporated, with the main external differences from the prototype being as follows.
*Elimination of centre pillar in the cab windscreens
*Redesigned windscreen wipers
*"Blue Thunder" logo on bodyside
*Reduced size white "JRF" logo on bodyside

Models

The EH200 is available in model form in N gauge from Kato.

References

*2006 JR Rolling Stock Handbook, Neko Publishing

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