JNR Class EF66
Encyclopedia
The EF66 is a 6-axle electric locomotive
designed for fast freight used by Japanese National Railways
(JNR) and currently operated by its descendents JR West and JR Freight.
and Sanyō Main Line, in an attempt to counter the increasing market share being gained by road transport, by providing a fast alternative to road transport using wagons suitable for containerised freight.
The prototype (initially numbered EF90 1, later becoming EF66 901) was built by Kawasaki Sharyō
in 1966; at the time with a power of 3.9 MW it was the world's most powerful narrow-gauge locomotive. The EF66 901 locomotive was retired from front-line service in 1996 and since 2001 is stored at Hiroshima Depot.
The production series of locomotives were delivered from 1968, with 55 built between 1968 and 1974.
Due to increased demand, JR Freight began building more EF66s in 1989 - this second tranche of locomotives was classified EF66-100, with locomotive numbered EF66-101 to EF66-133.
Of the first series of production the last 35 (i.e. 21st to 55th locomotive) were slightly different in design, externally a few changes were made - most noticeably above the drivers window a slight 'ledge' is added. Internally, these locomotives had their auxiliary electrical supply uprated from 5 kW to 90 kW.
The second series of locomotives (EF66-100) are fundamentally the same design as the first, but with slightly more modern external styling. The driver's cabs are air-conditioned.
During the JNR era, these locomotives were used for freight trains and also for passenger work - primarily hauling night trains such as the Hayabusa
sleeping car limited express
.
Following privatisation, JR Freight received the prototype (EF66 901) and forty of the original series (EF66 1 to EF66 40) as well as the EF66-100 machines. Some refurbishment of the locomotives has taken place since. JR West obtained the remainder of the machines (EF66 40 to EF66 55) - a total of 16.
As of 1 April 2009, 73 EF66s (including all 33 EF66-100s) were in service, with 63 owned by JR Freight (all based at Suita Depot in Osaka), and 10 owned by JR West (all based at Shimonoseki Depot).
and Tomix
. An HO gauge brass model of the EF66 was made by Tenshodo, Musashino Model, and Endo, and a plastic model EF66 is made by Tomix
.
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
designed for fast freight used by Japanese National Railways
Japanese National Railways
, abbreviated or "JNR", was the national railway network of Japan from 1949 to 1987.-History:The term Kokuyū Tetsudō "state-owned railway" originally referred to a network of railway lines operated by nationalized companies under the control of the Railway Institute following the nationalization...
(JNR) and currently operated by its descendents JR West and JR Freight.
Background and history
Originally these locomotives were designed for express freight on the Tōkaidō Main LineTokaido Main Line
The is the busiest trunk line of the Japan Railways Group , connecting Tōkyō and Kōbe stations. It is long, not counting its many freight feeder lines around the major cities...
and Sanyō Main Line, in an attempt to counter the increasing market share being gained by road transport, by providing a fast alternative to road transport using wagons suitable for containerised freight.
The prototype (initially numbered EF90 1, later becoming EF66 901) was built by Kawasaki Sharyō
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company
is the rolling stock production division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Since beginning operations in 1906, the company has produced more than 90,000 railroad vehicles.- Products :...
in 1966; at the time with a power of 3.9 MW it was the world's most powerful narrow-gauge locomotive. The EF66 901 locomotive was retired from front-line service in 1996 and since 2001 is stored at Hiroshima Depot.
The production series of locomotives were delivered from 1968, with 55 built between 1968 and 1974.
Due to increased demand, JR Freight began building more EF66s in 1989 - this second tranche of locomotives was classified EF66-100, with locomotive numbered EF66-101 to EF66-133.
Technical
The locomotives were designed to be able to haul a 1,000-tonne train at 100 km/h. Each motor has a 650 kW power output, (about 50% more powerful than the EF65). The bogies have an air suspension system to limit the impulsive forces on the track.Of the first series of production the last 35 (i.e. 21st to 55th locomotive) were slightly different in design, externally a few changes were made - most noticeably above the drivers window a slight 'ledge' is added. Internally, these locomotives had their auxiliary electrical supply uprated from 5 kW to 90 kW.
The second series of locomotives (EF66-100) are fundamentally the same design as the first, but with slightly more modern external styling. The driver's cabs are air-conditioned.
Operations
Hayabusa (train)
The is a new high-speed Shinkansen service operated by East Japan Railway Company between Tokyo and in Japan since 5 March 2011. The name was formerly used for a limited express sleeping car service operated by JR Kyushu, which ran from Tokyo to , and was discontinued in March 2009.-Service...
sleeping car limited express
Limited express
A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes.- Japan :...
.
Following privatisation, JR Freight received the prototype (EF66 901) and forty of the original series (EF66 1 to EF66 40) as well as the EF66-100 machines. Some refurbishment of the locomotives has taken place since. JR West obtained the remainder of the machines (EF66 40 to EF66 55) - a total of 16.
As of 1 April 2009, 73 EF66s (including all 33 EF66-100s) were in service, with 63 owned by JR Freight (all based at Suita Depot in Osaka), and 10 owned by JR West (all based at Shimonoseki Depot).
Preserved examples
- EF66 11: The Railway Museum, Saitama
- EF66 45: (cab section only) New museum located next to Torokko Saga Station, Kyoto
- EF66 49: (No. 1 end cab section) New museum located next to Torokko Saga Station, Kyoto
- EF66 49: (No. 2 end cab section) Pain Aux Seigle bakery in Kizugawa, KyotoKizugawa, Kyotois a city in southern Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on March 12, 2007 by the merger of the towns of Kamo, Kizu and Yamashiro, all from Sōraku District. It is the southernmost city in the prefecture...
, located near Kizu StationKizu Station (Kyoto)is a railway station located in Kizugawa, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Operated by West Japan Railway Company . It is the junction point between the Yamatoji Line , the Nara Line and the Gakkentoshi Line...
Models
The EF66 is available in model form in N gauge from both KatoKato Precision Railroad Models
Kato Precision Railroad Models is a Japanese manufacturer of model railroad equipment in N and HO scales...
and Tomix
Tomix
Tomix is model railway brand of the Japanese company Tomytec, a subsidiary of toy manufacturer Takara Tomy .-Product outline:...
. An HO gauge brass model of the EF66 was made by Tenshodo, Musashino Model, and Endo, and a plastic model EF66 is made by Tomix
Tomix
Tomix is model railway brand of the Japanese company Tomytec, a subsidiary of toy manufacturer Takara Tomy .-Product outline:...
.