JR Freight Class EF500

Japanese electric locomotive

20,000 mm (65 ft 7+3⁄8 in)Width2,905 mm (9 ft 6+3⁄8 in)Height4,280 mm (14 ft 1⁄2 in)Loco weight100.8 t
(99.2 long tons; 111.1 short tons)Electric system/s20 kV AC at 50/60 Hz
overhead wireCurrent pickup(s)pantographTraction motorsAC

Performance figures
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Power output	6 MW (8,000 hp)
Tractive effort	26,600 kgf (59,000 lbf)

Career
Operators	JR Freight
Number in class	1
First run	1990
Withdrawn	29 March 2002
Disposition	Withdrawn, preserved

The Class EF500 (EF500形) was a 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EF500-901 was transferred to Sendai Depot in 1996, but subsequently saw little use.^[2] It was formally withdrawn on 29 March 2002.^[3] The locomotive is stored at JR Freight's Hiroshima Depot.^[4]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

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

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to JR Freight EF500.

^ 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.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f 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.