JNR Class EF60 explained

Class EF60
Powertype:Electric
Builder:Kawasaki, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Tōyō & Kisha Seizō
Builddate:1960–1964
Numberrebuilt:143
Uicclass:Bo-Bo-Bo
Wheeldiameter:11202NaN2
Length:16500frac=8NaNfrac=8
Width:2800frac=8NaNfrac=8
Height:3960frac=8NaNfrac=8
Electricsystem:1,500 V DC overhead line
Multipleworking:Within Class Only
Maxspeed:1000NaN0
Poweroutput:EF60 15 onward: 2.55-1NaN-1
Locobrakes:Air and Electrical regenerative
Trainbrakes:Air
Safety:ATS-SF
Operator:JNR, JR East
Disposition:1 locomotive in service

The 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 motors as the ED60 and ED61 designs. A total of 143 locomotives were built between 1960 and 1964 by Kawasaki, Tōshiba, Tōyō & Kisha Seizō, and Mitsubishi. The class was split between 129 freight locomotives (classified EF60-0) designed to supersede the mammoth EH10s on Tōkaidō and Sanyō Main Line freight, and 14 passenger locomotives (EF60-500) to replace EF58s 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 ED60s, 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 EF65s 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Withdrawals commenced in the 1980s, and all members of the class were withdrawn from regular operations in 1986, ahead of privatization.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.

Build details

NumbersBatchBuiltDetails
1-2Prototype1960Different bogie designs. 390 kW MT49 traction motors.
3-141st1960–Based on EF60 1 design. Built with quill drive.
15-832nd1962–1964Nose-suspended traction motors (425 kW MT54).
84-1293rd1964–Twin sealed-beam headlights. Bodyside louvres and windows similar to EF65.
501-5112nd1963–1964Delivered in tokkyū blue livery.
512-5143rd1964Twin sealed-beam headlights. Bodyside louvres and windows similar to EF65.

Banker conversions

EF61-200 conversions

Eight Class EF60 locomotives were converted between 1977 and 1979 to become Class EF61-200 banking locomotives for use on the "Senohachi" section of the Sanyo Main Line.[1]

Original numberBuiltLater numberRebuilt
EF60 122 January 1960EF61 20125 November 1977
EF60 327 July 1960EF61 20327 June 1978
EF60 410 August 1960EF61 20423 June 1978
EF60 613 September 1960EF61 20622 February 1979
EF60 728 September 1960EF61 20727 February 1979
EF60 913 July 1960EF61 2096 February 1978
EF60 1030 July 1960EF61 2101 December 1977
EF60 1120 August 1960EF61 21110 February 1978

EF67 conversions

Three Class EF60 locomotives were converted between 1982 and 1986 to become Class EF67 banking locomotives for use on the "Senohachi" section of the Sanyo Main Line.[1]

Original numberBuiltLater numberRebuilt
EF60 889 July 1964EF67 325 December 1986
EF60 10430 September 1964EF67 131 March 1982
EF60 12927 October 1964EF67 230 January 1984

Preserved examples

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Seki. Takahiro . セノハチの後押し機関車. Senohachi Banking locomotives. . 52. 620. 86–93. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan . December 2012.
  2. RM News: "EF60 503号機 遂に解体". Retrieved on 18 November 2008.
  3. Web site: EF60 510が再塗装される. EF60 510 repainted. September 2011. Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan. ja. 9 September 2011.