JNR Class EF60
Encyclopedia
The EF60 class was the first Japanese second-generation DC electric locomotive
type with six driven axles (classes EF60 to EF67), and the first versions used the same MT49 390 kW traction motor
s as the ED60
and ED61 designs. A total of 143 locomotives were built between 1960 and 1964 by Kawasaki
, Tōshiba
, Tōyō & Kisha, and Mitsubishi
. The class was split between 129 freight locomotives (classified EF60-0) designed to supersede the mammoth EH10
s on Tōkaidō
and Sanyō Main Line freight, and 14 passenger locomotives (EF60-500) to replace EF58
s on sleeping car trains on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Mainlines.
The third-batch build of locos (EF60 84 to 129 and EF60 512 to 514) had up-rated traction motors and differed slightly in having twin headlamps (like the EF65
and other later types) rather than the single large headlamp on earlier versions. Unlike the ED60
s, these locos were designed to operate singly rather than in pairs, and so cab-end gangway doors were not included. The EF60-0s initially appeared in the standard all-over brown livery, but were repainted into blue from 1965 onward.
The role of the EF60-500s at the head of the premier Blue Trains
was short-lived, however, with the arrival of more powerful EF65
s in 1965, and they too found themselves transferred to freight duties. From the late 1970s, EF60s were to be seen on the Chūō, Takasaki, and Ryōmō Lines in the Kantō region, and some locos were transferred to the Hanwa Line and Kisei Mainline in the Kansai region from the mid-1980s.
Withdrawals commenced in the 1980s, and all members of the class were withdrawn from regular operations in 1986, ahead of privatization. Two locos survived into JR days: EF60 19 owned by JR East for special event use, and EF60 503 by JR West.
Eight early-built locos were converted to EF61-200s between 1977 and 1979 for use as bankers on the steeply-graded "Senohachi" section of the Sanyō Mainline between Seno and Hachihonmatsu. Three more later-built EF60s were more extensively rebuilt in 1982 to become EF67 class
banking locos (numbers EF67 1 to 3) for use on the same section.
as both the EF60-0 and EF60-500 versions. Aoshima makes a 1/50 scale non-powered plastic kit of the EF60.
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
type with six driven axles (classes EF60 to EF67), and the first versions used the same MT49 390 kW traction motor
Traction motor
Traction motor refers to an electric motor providing the primary rotational torque of a machine, usually for conversion into linear motion ....
s as the ED60
JNR Class ED60
The JNR class ED60 was a DC electric locomotive operated by Japanese National Railways between 1958 and 1986. It was the first "second-generation" DC electric locomotive type featuring increased-power traction motors...
and ED61 designs. A total of 143 locomotives were built between 1960 and 1964 by Kawasaki
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 :...
, Tōshiba
Toshiba
is a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...
, Tōyō & Kisha, and Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
. The class was split between 129 freight locomotives (classified EF60-0) designed to supersede the mammoth EH10
JNR Class EH10
The EH10 class of electric locomotives were Bo-Bo+Bo-Bo wheel arrangement two-unit DC freight locomotives operated by Japanese National Railways in Japan.The exterior was designed by industrial designer Masao Hagiwara....
s on Tōkaidō
Tokaido 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 freight, and 14 passenger locomotives (EF60-500) to replace EF58
JNR Class EF58
The EF58 is a class of Japanese 2-C+C-2 wheel arrangement electric locomotives. 172 locomotives were built between 1946 and 1958.-The later years:In 1984, 64 out of 172 EF58 locos built were still in service or temporary storage...
s on sleeping car trains on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Mainlines.
The third-batch build of locos (EF60 84 to 129 and EF60 512 to 514) had up-rated traction motors and differed slightly in having twin headlamps (like the EF65
JNR Class EF65
The EF65 is a 6-axle electric locomotive designed for freight used by Japanese National Railways and currently operated by its descendents JR West, JR East, and JR Freight....
and other later types) rather than the single large headlamp on earlier versions. Unlike the ED60
JNR Class ED60
The JNR class ED60 was a DC electric locomotive operated by Japanese National Railways between 1958 and 1986. It was the first "second-generation" DC electric locomotive type featuring increased-power traction motors...
s, these locos were designed to operate singly rather than in pairs, and so cab-end gangway doors were not included. The EF60-0s initially appeared in the standard all-over brown livery, but were repainted into blue from 1965 onward.
The role of the EF60-500s at the head of the premier Blue Trains
Blue Train (Japan)
' in Japan are long-distance sleeper trains, nicknamed as such for the color of the train cars. They consist of 20-, 14- or 24-series sleeper cars, and currently run on six routes connecting major destinations within Japan across long distances, other routes being served by a fleet of newer...
was short-lived, however, with the arrival of more powerful EF65
JNR Class EF65
The EF65 is a 6-axle electric locomotive designed for freight used by Japanese National Railways and currently operated by its descendents JR West, JR East, and JR Freight....
s in 1965, and they too found themselves transferred to freight duties. From the late 1970s, EF60s were to be seen on the Chūō, Takasaki, and Ryōmō Lines in the Kantō region, and some locos were transferred to the Hanwa Line and Kisei Mainline in the Kansai region from the mid-1980s.
Withdrawals commenced in the 1980s, and all members of the class were withdrawn from regular operations in 1986, ahead of privatization. Two locos survived into JR days: EF60 19 owned by JR East for special event use, and EF60 503 by JR West.
Eight early-built locos were converted to EF61-200s between 1977 and 1979 for use as bankers on the steeply-graded "Senohachi" section of the Sanyō Mainline between Seno and Hachihonmatsu. Three more later-built EF60s were more extensively rebuilt in 1982 to become EF67 class
JNR Class EF67
The Class EF67 is a class of electric locomotives operated by JR Freight as dedicated banking locomotives on the steeply-graded "Senohachi" section of the Sanyō Main Line between and...
banking locos (numbers EF67 1 to 3) for use on the same section.
Build details
| Numbers | Batch | Built | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Prototype | 1960 | Different bogie designs. 390 kW MT49 traction motors. |
| 3-14 | 1st | 1960- | Based on EF60 1 design. Built with quill drive. |
| 15-83 | 2nd | 1962–1964 | Nose-suspended traction motors (425 kW MT54). |
| 84-129 | 3rd | 1964- | Twin sealed-beam headlights. Bodyside louvres and windows similar to EF65. |
| 501-511 | 2nd | 1963–1964 | Delivered in tokkyū blue livery. |
| 512-514 | 3rd | 1964 | Twin sealed-beam headlights. Bodyside louvres and windows similar to EF65. |
Banker conversions
| Original Number | Later Number | Date converted |
|---|---|---|
| EF60 1 | EF61 201 | Nov 1977 |
| EF60 3 | EF61 203 | Jun 1978 |
| EF60 4 | EF61 204 | Jun 1978 |
| EF60 6 | EF61 206 | Feb 1979 |
| EF60 7 | EF61 207 | Feb 1979 |
| EF60 9 | EF61 209 | Feb 1978 |
| EF60 10 | EF61 210 | Nov 1977 |
| EF60 11 | EF61 211 | Feb 1978 |
| EF60 104 | EF67 1 | 1982 |
| EF60 129 | EF67 2 | 1982 |
| EF60 88 | EF67 3 | 1982 |
Preserved examples
- EF60 19 Preserved at JR East's Takasaki Depot in operating condition (occasional mainline use), repainted in 2007 into standard blue/cream livery (previously special white livery with blue/red stripes)
- EF60 47 No. 2 cab section only, on display inside JR East's Ōmiya Works, brown livery
- EF60 123 Plinthed in front of Ashikaga StationAshikaga Stationis a train station located in Ashikaga, Tochigi prefecture, Japan.-Station layout:There are 2-way, 2-side platforms.Some trains offer through service to and on Utsunomiya Line.-History:*May 22, 1888 Opened as of Ryōmō Railway....
(JR Ryōmō Line), standard blue livery - EF60 501 Usui Pass Railway Heritage ParkUsui Pass Railway Heritage ParkThe is an open-air railway museum located in Annaka, Gunma, Japan. It is operated by East Japan Railway Company , and was opened on 18 April 1998 on the site of the former Yokokawa motive power depot alongside the Shin'etsu Main Line, which closed in October 1997....
, Gunma, in tokkyū blue livery - EF60 503 Formerly preserved at JR West's Miyahara Depot (cut up November 2008)
- EF60 510 Preserved at JR East's Ōmiya Works in tokkyū blue livery
Models
The EF60 is available in model form in N gauge from KatoKato Precision Railroad Models
Kato Precision Railroad Models is a Japanese manufacturer of model railroad equipment in N and HO scales...
as both the EF60-0 and EF60-500 versions. Aoshima makes a 1/50 scale non-powered plastic kit of the EF60.