JNR Class EF55
{{short description|Japanese locomotive class}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = Class EF55
| powertype = Electric
| image = EF55-1 Matsumoto 20031013.jpg
| caption = EF55 1 at Matsumoto Station, October 2003
| builder = Hitachi, Kawasaki, Tōyō Electric
| ordernumber =
| serialnumber =
| buildmodel =
| builddate = 1936
| totalproduction = 3
| rebuilder =
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| aarwheels = 2-C+C-1
| uicclass = (2'Co)(Co'1)
| gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
| bogies =
| driverdiameter = {{convert|1250|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}
| trailingdiameter = {{convert|860|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}
| minimumcurve =
| wheelbase =
| length = {{convert|19150|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|2810|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|3810|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}
| frametype =
| axleload =
| weightondrivers =
| locoweight = {{cvt|100.38|t|disp=br()}}
| sandcap =
| collectionmethod = Pantograph
| alternator =
| generator =
| tractionmotors =
| transmission =
| multipleworking =
| maxspeed = {{convert|95|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}
{{convert|120|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} (trial)
| poweroutput = {{convert|1.350|MW|hp|-1|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort = {{convert|6300|kgf|-1|abbr=on}}
| factorofadhesion =
| trainheating =
| locobrakes =
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| trainbrakes =
| safety =
| operatorclass =
| powerclass =
| numinclass = 3
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| locale =
| deliverydate = March 1936
| firstrundate =
| lastrundate =
| retiredate =
| withdrawndate =
| preservedunits = 1
| restoredate =
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| currentowner =
| disposition = All withdrawn
}}
The {{Nihongo|Class EF55|EF55形}} is a 2Co+Co1 wheel arrangement electric locomotive type consisting of three locomotives built in 1936 by Hitachi, Kawasaki, and Tōyō Electric in Japan.{{cite book |last = Inoue|first = Kōichi |script-title=ja: 国鉄機関車辞典 |trans-title=JNR Locomotive Encyclopedia |publisher = Sankaido |date = 1999 |location = Japan |language = ja |pages = 92–93|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 }} They were nicknamed "hippos (kaba)" or "monster shoes (kutsu no bakemono)" in the 1930s, and later in the 1980s "Moomin".{{Cite web |last=産経新聞 |date=2015-04-25 |title=【鉄道ファン必見】「ムーミン」「カバ」「靴のお化け」…愛嬌たっぷり「ＥＦ５５形式電機機関車」が鉄道博物館に登場 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20150425-PRK7HW2LF5ORJKURZJ5BB3EIDU/ |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=産経新聞：産経ニュース |language=ja}}
Design
Streamlined designs were adopted for railway rolling stock worldwide in the 1930s, and the Japanese Government Railways (JGR) tested such a design on a Class C53 locomotive in 1934. It was then decided that 20 Class C55 steam locomotives would be built with a streamlined design. In the same year, the Tanna Tunnel opened on the Tokaido Main Line, and all express trains switched from the mountainous and detouring original route. Because of the length of the tunnel (8 km), steam locomotives were eliminated from operating through it, and a new class of mainline electric express locomotives was needed to replace the Class C51 and C53, which hauled the Tsubame and Fuji services.
As such, the Class EF55 were built with a streamlined design. Although based on the earlier EF53 design, the EF55s based on a unique non-symmetrical wheel arrangement with a streamlined cab at only one end. The number 2 end had a traditional-style cab with access deck.{{cite book |date=1993 |publisher=Neko Publishing |location=Japan |language=ja |script-title=ja: JR全車輛ハンドブック'93 |trans-title=JR Rolling Stock Handbook 1993}} The use of rivets and bolts were kept to a minimum, and welding was used to create a smooth surface. A 1936 trial showed a 9% reduction in air resistance when the locomotives ran with the streamlined end at the front.{{Cite book |last=Katayama |first=Kenjiro |title=流線形EF55設計回顧 |date=March 1962 |publisher=THE RAILWAY PICTORIAL |language=ja |trans-title=My experience of designing the EF55 Streamliners}} However, using turntables to keep the streamlined end at the front proved inefficient for regular operations. As a result, the Class EF56 and EF57 locomotives reverted to boxier designs, though the post-war EF58 brought back a more streamlined look. With an operational speed of 95 km/h, the EF55 surpassed 120 km/h during a trial run.
Operations
File:Tokaido Main Line EF552 (Numa) Limited Express 1 Train 'Fuji' Shinagawa - Oimachi 1936-08-04.jpg and Oimachi, August 1936]]
All EF55s were based at Numazu depot from 1936, and were operated on the Tokaido Line until 1952, when they were moved to Takasaki depot on the Takasaki Line. The need to turn locomotives round due to the single cab proved to be the downfall of this small class, and the locomotives were placed in storage in 1958, and then officially withdrawn in 1964. Following withdrawal, EF55 1 was moved to the former Chūō Railway Institute near Nishi-Kokubunji Station for apprentice training purposes. EF55 3 was cannibalized to donate motors and other components to the ED30 prototype AC/DC electric locomotive, and EF55 2 was also cut up shortly after.
Preservation
File:JR east EF55 1 EF58 61 salonexpresstokyo.jpg
EF55 1 was designated as an important piece of railway heritage in 1978, and was subsequently restored to running condition, re-entering service in 1986 for use hauling special event trains. It was operated by JR East, based at Takasaki depot, until it was finally withdrawn in January 2009. EF55 1 was moved from Takasaki to {{STN|Omiya|x|Saitama}} in January 2015,{{cite web |url= http://railf.jp/news/2015/01/27/090000.html|script-title=ja: EF55 1，鉄道博物館で展示へ|trans-title=EF55 1 to be exhibited at Railway Museum|date= 27 January 2015|work= Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher= Koyusha Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 27 January 2015}} and exhibited at JR East's Railway Museum from 12 April.{{cite web |url= http://railf.jp/news/2015/04/26/190000.html|script-title=ja: 鉄道博物館EF55 1に「ご紋章」と日章旗 |trans-title=EF55 1 at Railway Museum adorned with crest and flags|date= 26 April 2015|work= Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher= Koyusha Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 27 April 2015}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{commons category|JNR EF55}}
{{Jnrelec}}
{{Japanloco}}
{{Jreastloco}}
Category:Electric locomotives of Japan
Category:1067 mm gauge locomotives of Japan
Category:1500 V DC locomotives
Category:Preserved electric locomotives