JR Freight Class EF500
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 EF500-901 at Hiroshima Depot, October 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Class EF500 (EF500形) is a withdrawn prototype Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement multi-voltage AC/DC electric locomotive formerly operated by JR Freight in Japan.[1]
Intended as a prototype for a new fleet of high-power electric locomotives to haul freight trains northward from Tokyo to Hokkaido, the sole member of the class, EF500-901, was built jointly by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Electric, and delivered to Shin-Tsurumi Depot in August 1990.[2] The design was broadly based on the Class EF200 locomotives built for Tokaido Main Line freight duties west of Tokyo.[2] Following initial test-running, the locomotive underwent long-term feasibility testing on freight services on the Tohoku Main Line.[2] However, the locomotive fell foul of newly introduced government guidelines covering high-frequency electromagnetic noise emissions, and so fleet production was deemed unfeasible.[2] JR Freight instead opted for the Class EH500 and Class EF510 locomotive designs.[2]
EF500-901 was transferred to Sendai Depot in 1996, but subsequently saw little use.[2] It was formally withdrawn on 29 March 2002.[3] The locomotive is stored at JR Freight's Hiroshima Depot.[4]
EF500-901 on display at Hiroshima Depot open day in October 2015
Classification
[edit]The EF500 classification for this locomotive type is explained below. As with previous locomotive designs, the prototype is numbered EF500-901.
- E: Electric locomotive
- F: Six driving axles
- 500: AC/DC locomotive with AC motors
See also
[edit]- JR Freight Class ED500, another experimental electric locomotive
References
[edit]
- ↑ Jr機関車カタログ: Jr7社の現有30形式を詳しく解說 JR機関車カタログ [JR Locomotive Catalogue]. Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. 20 June 2013. p. 43. ISBN 9784863207271.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 プロトタイプの世界 - Prototype World. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. December 2005. pp. 122–123. EAN 4910065141258.
- ↑ JR車両のデータバンク2001/2002 [JR Rolling Stock Databank 2001/2002]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 42, no. 496. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. August 2002. p. 98.
- ↑ ＪＲ世代の機関車オールガイド [Comprehensive Guide to JR Era Locomotives]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 39, no. 315. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. July 2010. pp. 12–26.
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