JR Freight Class EH500

Infobox Locomotive
name=EH500
electricsystem=1,500 V DC & 20 kV (50/60 Hz) AC
tractionmotors=AC
powertype=Electric

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caption=EH500-31 at Ōmiya station, 2007-07-07
builddate=1997 -
builder=Tōshiba
weight=134.2 tons
uicclass=Bo-Bo+Bo-Bo
gauge=1,067 mm
firstrundate=
disposition=Still in production
numinclass=
wheeldiameter=
poweroutput=4,000 kW
wheelbase=
tractiveeffort=24,551 kgf
topspeed=110 km/h
length=25,000 mm
width=2,950 mm
height=3,917 mm
transmission=
railroad=JR Freight|

The EH500 class of electric locomotives are Bo-Bo+Bo-Bo wheel arrangement articulated multi-voltage AC/DC freight locomotives operated by JR Freight in Japan.

The locomotives are built at the Tōshiba factory in Fuchū, Tokyo. Initially, they were all based at Sendai depot for use on long-distance container trains from the Tokyo area to Hokkaidō via the Tōhoku Main Line, replacing DC EF65s south of Kuroiso, pairs of AC ED75s north of Kuroiso, and pairs of AC ED79s through the Seikan Tunnel. In 2004, locomotives EH500-25 and EH500-27 were loaned in turn to Kitakyūshū depot for trials. From 2007, a number of EH500s were transferred to Kitakyūshū depot for use on 1,300 tonne freight trains between Honshū and Kyūshū through the Kanmon Tunnel, replacing ageing AC ED76s and dual-voltage EF81-300s and EF81-400s.

As of 1 April 2008, the fleet totalled 60 locomotives (EH500-901 and EH500-1 to EH500-59). ["Japan Railfan Magazine" July 2008 issue]

Four EH500 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

EH500-901 prototype

The pre-production prototype, EH500-901, was delivered to Sendai depot in March 1998 for extensive testing. The livery is red and grey with black cab surrounds.

Pre-production 1st batch: EH500-1 and EH500-2

Two pre-production locomotives were delivered in March 2000. The livery is maroon and grey with black cab surrounds.

Full-production 2nd batch: EH500-3 to EH500-9

Built from March 2000 to January 2001. The headlamps were moved to a higher position to reduce problems of blockage by snow. New "Kintaro Eco-Power" logos were added to the sides.

Full-production 3rd batch: EH500-10 onward

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.

Models

The EH500 is available in model form in N gauge from both Kato and Tomix.

References

*2006 JR Rolling Stock Handbook, Neko Publishing

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