JNR Class EF66

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Class EF66
JR Freight EF66 27 in May 2013
Type and origin
BuilderKawasaki Sharyo, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kisha Seizo, Toshiba
Total produced89
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B-B
 • UICBo′Bo′Bo′
 • CommonwealthBo-Bo-Bo
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
BogiesDT133A (outer), DT134A (centre)
Wheel diameter1,120 mm (44.09 in)
Length18,200 mm (59 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Width2,800 mm (9 ft 2+1⁄4 in)
Height4,200 mm (13 ft 9+3⁄8 in)
Loco weight100.8 tonnes (99.2 long tons; 111.1 short tons)
Electric system/s1,500 V DC overhead lines
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Traction motorsDC motors (MT56) (x6)
TransmissionSingle-stage reduction gear (20:71), flexible quill drive
Performance figures
Maximum speed110 km/h (70 mph)
Power output3.9 MW (5,200 hp)
Tractive effort192 kN (43,000 lbf)
Career
Operators
Number in class39 (as of 1 April 2016)
Delivered1966
WithdrawnEF66-0 1992–present
DispositionIn service
This train won the 12th Blue Ribbon Award in 1969.

The Class EF66 (EF66形) is a six-axle, three-bogied (Bo′Bo′Bo′) DC electric locomotive designed for fast freight used by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later operated by its descendants JR West and JR Freight.[1] As of 1 April 2016, 39 locomotives remained in service, all operated by JR Freight.[2]

Variants[edit]

  • EF66-900: Prototype locomotive EF66 901, delivered in 1966
  • EF66-0: Full-production type (EF66 1 – 55), built 1968 to 1975
  • EF66-100: Later type (EF66 101 – 133), built 1989 to 1991

Technical[edit]

The locomotives were designed to be able to haul 1,000-tonne trains at 100 km/h (60 mph). Each traction motor has a power output of 650 kW (870 hp), (about 50% more powerful than the Class EF65). The bogies have an air suspension system to limit the impulsive forces on the track.

Operations[edit]

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.[3]

By 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).[4]

As of 1 April 2016, 39 locomotives remained in service (six EF66-0 and 33 EF66-100 locomotives), all operated by JR Freight.[2]

As of July 2021 just two EF66-0 examples remain in service, those being EF66-27 & EF66-30

History[edit]

Background[edit]

EF66 20 hauling a "Tobiuo" (flying fish) express freight train formed of ReSa 10000 series [ja] refrigerator cars in 1985

With the opening of the Meishin Expressway between Nagoya and Kobe in 1965 and the Tomei Expressway between Tokyo and Nagoya in 1968, JNR faced increasing competition for freight transport from road hauliers. JNR therefore developed the "10000 series" freight wagons (KoKi 10000 and KoKiFu 10000 container flat wagons, ReSa 10000 and ReMuFu 10000 refrigerated wagons, and WaKi 10000 bogie vans) capable of operating at 100 km/h (60 mph). Express freight services formed of these wagons were introduced on the Tokaido Main Line and Sanyo Main Line from October 1966 using Class EF65-500 electric locomotives built in 1965. These locomotives were designed to be used in pairs hauling 1,000-tonne freight trains, but as pairs of locomotives drew excessive current from the overhead wires, 1,000-tonne freight trains had to be split into 600-tonne and 400-tonne sections when operating on the Sanyo Main Line. This led to the need for a new locomotive design that would be capable of hauling 1,000-tonne trains singly.[5]

Prototype[edit]

EF66 901 on display in 1985

A prototype locomotive, initially classified EF90 and numbered EF90 1, was built by Kawasaki Sharyo in 1966. It had a total power output of 3.9 MW (5,230 hp), making it the world's most powerful narrow-gauge locomotive at the time.[5]

EF66 901 was retired from service in 1996, and has been stored at Hiroshima Depot since February 2001, but it was taken apart in March.[citation needed]

Full-production series[edit]

The production series of locomotives were delivered from 1968, with 55 built in two batches between 1968 and 1975.[5]

The second batch of locomotives, EF66 21 to EF66 55, delivered between 1973 and 1975, incorporated a number of minor changes and improvements. Most noticeable was the extension of the cab roofs over the windscreens to reduce the deposition of abrasion dust from the pantographs on the windscreens.[5] Some of the first-batch locomotives (EF66 1 to 20) were also subsequently modified with the "sun visor" style cab end roofs.[5]

  • First-batch EF66 3 on a freight working in June 1984
    First-batch EF66 3 on a freight working in June 1984
  • First-batch EF66 11 in 2007
    First-batch EF66 11 in 2007
  • Second-batch EF66 49 on a sleeping car service in March 2009
    Second-batch EF66 49 on a sleeping car service in March 2009

Post-privatization[edit]

Following the privatisation of JNR on 1 April 1987, JR Freight received the prototype (EF66 901) and 39 of the original series (EF66 1 to EF66 39) as well as the Class EF66-100 machines. JR West obtained the remainder of the machines (EF66 40 to EF66 55) – a total of 16.

Shortly after privatization, JR Freight tried out a number of new experimental liveries on its various locomotives, and one Class EF66, locomotive number EF66 20, received an experimental cream and blue livery with large "JR" logos in August 1987. No other members of the class were reliveried, however, and EF66 20 received the new JR Freight two-tone blue livery when it underwent refurbishment in October 1993.[5]

From 1988, JR Freight retrofitted a number of its EF66s (numbers 22– 4, 26–27, 30–33, 37) with roof-mounted cab air-conditioning units.[5]

From 1993, JR Freight started refurbishing its fleet of EF66s (numbers 1–5, 7–10, 11–12, 16–39, 41, 44, 53, 55). Refurbishment included rewinding of the traction motor coils, removal of the former JNR decorations on the front-end number plates, and repainting into a two-tone blue livery similar to that carried by the EF66-100s.[5] Locomotives refurbished from 2004 onward, however, received a simplified blue livery, similar to the original JNR-style livery.[5]

  • EF66 20 in experimental JR Freight livery in the late 1980s
    EF66 20 in experimental JR Freight livery in the late 1980s
  • JR Freight EF66 29 in revised livery in June 2003
    JR Freight EF66 29 in revised livery in June 2003
  • JR Freight EF66 28 in February 2007 in the later livery applied to refurbished locomotives
    JR Freight EF66 28 in February 2007 in the later livery applied to refurbished locomotives

EF66-100[edit]

Due to increased demand, JR Freight began building more EF66s in 1989. This batch of locomotives was classified EF66-100, with locomotive numbered EF66 101 to EF66 133. The Class EF66-100 locomotives were fundamentally the same design as the EF66-0, but with slightly more modern external styling. The driver's cabs are air-conditioned. The Class EF66 100 locomotives were also built in two batches, EF66 101 to 108 and EF66 109 to EF133. The second batch differed in having rectangular headlamps and tail lamps, while the first batch had round lamps.[5]

  • First-batch EF66 108 in December 2009
    First-batch EF66 108 in December 2009
  • Second-batch Class EF66-119 in February 2007
    Second-batch Class EF66-119 in February 2007

Build histories[edit]

The individual locomotive build histories are as follows.[5]

No. Manufacturer Date delivered
EF66-900
EF66 901[Note 1] Kawasaki Sharyo/Kawasaki Electric September 1966
EF66-0
EF66 1 Kisha Seizo/Toyo Electric July 1968
EF66 2 Kisha Seizo/Toyo Electric August 1968
EF66 3 Kisha Seizo/Toyo Electric August 1968
EF66 4 Kisha Seizo/Toyo Electric September 1968
EF66 5 Kisha Seizo/Toyo Electric September 1968
EF66 6 Kisha Seizo/Toyo Electric September 1968
EF66 7 Kawasaki Sharyo/Kawasaki Electric July 1968
EF66 8 Kawasaki Sharyo/Kawasaki Electric July 1968
EF66 9 Kawasaki Sharyo/Kawasaki Electric July 1968
EF66 10 Kawasaki Sharyo/Kawasaki Electric August 1968
EF66 11 Kawasaki Sharyo/Kawasaki Electric August 1968
EF66 12 Kawasaki Sharyo/Kawasaki Electric August 1968
EF66 13 Kawasaki Sharyo/Kawasaki Electric August 1968
EF66 14 Kisha Seizo/Toyo Electric October 1968
EF66 15 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric September 1968
EF66 16 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric April 1969
EF66 17 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric May 1969
EF66 18 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric September 1969
EF66 19 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric September 1969
EF66 20 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric September 1969
EF66 21 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric August 1973
EF66 22 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric August 1973
EF66 23 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric September 1973
EF66 24 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric September 1973
EF66 25 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric October 1973
EF66 26 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric August 1973
EF66 27 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric August 1973
EF66 28 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric August 1973
EF66 29 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric September 1973
EF66 30 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric September 1973
EF66 31 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric September 1973
EF66 32 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric March 1974
EF66 33 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric March 1974
EF66 34 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric September 1974
EF66 35 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric September 1974
EF66 36 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric September 1974
EF66 37 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric October 1974
EF66 38 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric October 1974
EF66 39 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric November 1974
EF66 40 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric January 1975
EF66 41 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric January 1975
EF66 42 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric February 1975
EF66 43 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric February 1975
EF66 44 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric February 1975
EF66 45 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric August 1974
EF66 46 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric August 1974
EF66 47 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric August 1974
EF66 48 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric September 1974
EF66 49 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric September 1974
EF66 50 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric October 1974
EF66 51 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric January 1975
EF66 52 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric January 1975
EF66 53 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric January 1975
EF66 54 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric February 1975
EF66 55 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric February 1975
EF66-100
EF66 101 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 16 February 1989
EF66 102 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 25 February 1989
EF66 103 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 5 March 1989
EF66 104 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 9 March 1989
EF66 105 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 13 March 1989
EF66 106 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 20 March 1989
EF66 107 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 28 March 1989
EF66 108 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 31 March 1989
EF66 109 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 30 January 1990
EF66 110 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 6 February 1990
EF66 111 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 12 February 1990
EF66 112 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 16 February 1990
EF66 113 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 22 February 1990
EF66 114 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 2 March 1990
EF66 115 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 9 March 1990
EF66 116 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 16 March 1990
EF66 117 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 29 August 1990
EF66 118 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 12 September 1990
EF66 119 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 20 September 1990
EF66 120 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 28 September 1990
EF66 121 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 18 October 1990
EF66 122 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 30 October 1990
EF66 123 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 13 November 1990
EF66 124 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 25 February 1991
EF66 125 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 28 February 1991
EF66 126 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 8 March 1991
EF66 127 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 15 March 1991
EF66 128 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 25 March 1991
EF66 129 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 13 September 1991
EF66 130 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 28 September 1991
EF66 131 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 22 September 1991
EF66 132 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Toyo Electric 24 October 1991
EF66 133 Kawasaki Heavy Industries/Fuji Electric 26 September 1991
Notes
  1. ^ Originally built as EF90 1. Renumbered EF66 901 in August 1968.

Preserved examples[edit]

  • EF66 35 at the Kyoto Railway Museum in October 2016
    EF66 35 at the Kyoto Railway Museum in October 2016
  • The cab end of EF66 45 in Saitama in July 2014
    The cab end of EF66 45 in Saitama in July 2014

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to JNR EF66.
  1. ^ Fujii, Katsuhisa (November 1991), 国鉄最大最強力電機EF66形のすべて [All about Class EF66, the largest and the most powerful electric locomotive of JNR], Japan Railfan Magazine, vol. 31, no. 367, Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd., p. 8 et seq
  2. ^ a b Miyahara, Masakazu, ed. (December 2016). 国鉄最終章LAST (鉄道ジャーナル2017年2月号別冊) [JNR – The Final Chapter (Railway Journal February 2017 Extra issue)]. Tetsudō Jānaru (in Japanese). Japan: Railway Journal: 23–27. ASIN B01N59AJPB. ISSN 0288-2337.
  3. ^ "EF66-100". Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
  4. ^ Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Matsuo, Yoshitaka (February 2017). 国鉄最強の電気機関車 EF66 [EF66 – JNR's most powerful electric locomotive]. Rail Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 34, no. 401. Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. pp. 28–64.
  6. ^ a b Sasada, Masahiro (25 November 2014). 国鉄&jr 保存車大全 2015-2016 国鉄&JR保存車大全2015-2016 [JNR & JR Preserved Rolling Stock Complete Guide 2015-2016] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. p. 122. ISBN 978-4863209282.
  7. ^ 京都鉄道博物館 [Kyoto Railway Museum]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56, no. 662. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. June 2016. p. 47.
  8. ^ a b Shimizu, Kaoru (January 2011). 栄光のブルトレ牽引機EF66 45・49 新たなる任務を負って（前編）～嵯峨野への旅～ [Famous Blue Train locomotives EF66 45&49 start new duties (Part 1) The journey to Sagano]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 51, no. 597. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 104–107.
  9. ^ Shimizu, Kaoru (September 2014). 栄光のブルトレ牽引機EF66 45・49 新たなる任務を負って [Famous Blue Train locomotives EF66 45&49 start new duties]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 54, no. 641. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 138–139.
  10. ^ パン屋さんの店頭に４９号機！ [Loco No. 49 in a Baker's!]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 51, no. 607. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 2011. pp. 104–5.
  11. ^ Johnston, Howard; Harris, Ken (2005). Jane's Train Recognition Guide. HarperCollins. pp. 95, 344. ISBN 978-0-06-081895-1.
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