JNR Class ED78
{{short description|Class of 14 Japanese electric locomotives}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox locomotive
|name = Class ED78
|powertype = Electric
|image = ED789 Sendai 19850313.jpg
|caption = ED78 9 in service in March 1985
|builder = Hitachi
|buildmodel =
|builddate = 1967–1980
|totalproduction = 14
|rebuilder =
|rebuilddate =
|numberrebuilt =
|uicclass = Bo'2Bo'
|Britishclass = Bo-2-Bo
|gauge = {{RailGauge|1067 mm|lk=on}}
|bogies = DT129 (outer), DR103E (centre)
|wheeldiameter = {{Convert|1,120|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}
|trailingdiameter = {{Convert|860|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}
|minimumcurve =
|wheelbase =
|length = {{Convert|17,900|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}
|width = {{Convert|2,800|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}
|height = {{Convert|4,230|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}
|axleload =
|weightondrivers =
|locoweight = {{cvt|81.5|t|disp=br()}}
| electricsystem = 20 kV AC at 60 Hz overhead wire
| collectionmethod = Pantograph
|alternator =
|generator =
|tractionmotors =
|transmission =
|multipleworking =
|maxspeed =
|poweroutput = {{Convert|1,900|kW|hp|abbr=on}}
|tractiveeffort =
|factorofadhesion =
|trainheating =
|locobrakes =
|locobrakeforce =
|trainbrakes =
|safety =
|numinclass =
|fleetnumbers = ED78 1–13, ED78 901
|locale =
|deliverydate = 1967
|firstrundate =
|lastrundate =
|retiredate =
|withdrawndate =
|preservedunits = 1
|restoredate =
|scrapdate =
|currentowner =
|disposition = All withdrawn
}}
The {{Nihongo|Class ED78|ED78形}} was a Bo-2-Bo wheel arrangement AC electric locomotive type operated in Japan from 1968 until the 1990s.{{cite book |last = Inoue|first = Koichi |script-title=ja: 国鉄機関車辞典 |trans-title=JNR Locomotive Encyclopedia |publisher = Sankaido |date = 1999 |location = Japan |language = ja |page = 152–153|isbn = 978-4-381-10338-3|title = 国鉄機関車事典: 蒸気・電気・ディーゼル機関車66形式 }} 14 locomotives were built by Hitachi between 1967 and 1980.{{cite book |script-title=ja: JR全車輛ハンドブック'92 |trans-title=JR Rolling Stock Handbook 1992|publisher = Neko Publishing |date = 1992 |location = Japan |language = ja |page = 41}}
Operations
The locomotives were introduced to operate on the steeply-graded Ou Main Line between {{STN|Fukushima|x|Fukushima}} and {{STN|Yonezawa|x}}, which was converted from 1,500 V DC electrification to 20 kV AC in October 1968. The locomotives often worked in multiple with Class EF71 locomotives.
History
A prototype locomotive, initially classified ED94 and numbered ED94 1, was delivered in 1967, with full-production locomotives delivered from 1968 until 1980. ED94 1 was modified and renumbered ED78 901 in 1968.
All 14 locomotives were built by Hitachi in Mito, Ibaraki, with modifications to convert ED94 1 to ED78 901 carried out at JNR's Koriyama factory.
Following the conversion of the Ou Main Line to standard gauge as part of the Yamagata Shinkansen in 1992, the Class ED78s were transferred to duties on the Tohoku Main Line and Senzan Line before ultimately being withdrawn.
=Build history=
Preserved examples
{{As of|2015}}, one member of the class is preserved: ED78 1.{{cite book |script-title=ja: 国鉄&JR保存車大全2015-2016 |trans-title=JNR & JR Preserved Rolling Stock Complete Guide 2015-2016|last = Sasada|first = Masahiro |publisher = Ikaros Publications Ltd.|date = 25 November 2014 |location = Tokyo, Japan |language = ja |page = 25, 122|isbn = 978-4863209282|title=国鉄&jr 保存車大全 2015-2016}} This locomotive was withdrawn in February 1987, and was subsequently stored at Fukushima Depot before being preserved at Fukushima Station.{{cite web |url= http://railf.jp/news/2016/06/06/150000.html|script-title=ja: 修復を終えたED78 1が『さつきまつり』で展示される |trans-title=ED78 1 displayed at Satsuki Festival following restoration|date= 6 June 2016|work= Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher= Koyusha Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 7 June 2016}} It was then moved to a site adjoining Rifu Station in Miyagi Prefecture, and later moved to the nearby Sendai General Shinkansen Depot. It was moved to Hitachi's Mito factory in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki in 2015 and cosmetically restored in 2016.
File:ED78 1 Rifu Station 20020825.jpg|ED78 1 preserved near Rifu Station in August 2002
File:ED781 Sendai General Shinkansen Depot 20080726.jpg|ED78 1 preserved at Sendai General Depot in July 2008
File:ED78 1 Hitachi Mito Factory 20170603.jpg|ED78 1 preserved inside the Hitachi Mito factory in May 2017
Classification
{{main|Japan Railways locomotive numbering and classification}}
The ED78 classification for this locomotive type is explained below.
- E: Electric locomotive
- D: Four driving axles
- 7x: AC locomotive with maximum speed exceeding {{Convert|85|km/h|round=5|abbr=on}}
References
{{Commons category|JNR ED78}}
{{reflist}}
{{Jnrelec}}
{{Japanloco}}
{{Jreastloco}}
Category:Electric locomotives of Japan
Category:1067 mm gauge locomotives of Japan