JR Freight Class EF500

The Class EF500 (EF500形) was a prototype Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement multi-voltage AC/DC electric locomotive formerly operated by JR Freight in Japan.[1]

Class EF500
EF500-901 at Hiroshima Depot, October 2006
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Electric Build date 1990 Total produced 1
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo-Bo-Bo Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Wheel diameter 1,120 mm (3 ft 8 in) Length 20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in) Width 2,905 mm (9 ft 6.4 in) Height 4,280 mm (14 ft 1 in) Loco weight 100.8 t Electric system/s 1,500 V DC & 20 kV (50/60 Hz) AC Current pickup(s) Overhead catenary Traction motors AC
Performance figures Maximum speed 120 km/h (75 mph) Power output 6 MW (8,000 hp) Tractive effort 26,600 kgf
Career Operators JR Freight Number in class 1 First run 1990 Withdrawn 29 March 2002 Disposition Withdrawn, preserved

Intended as a prototype for a new fleet of high-power electric locomotives to haul freight trains northward from Tokyo to Hokkaido, the sole member of the class, EF500-901, was built jointly by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Electric, and delivered to Shin-Tsurumi Depot in August 1990.[2] The design was broadly based on the Class EF200 locomotives built for Tokaido Main Line freight duties west of Tokyo.[2] Following initial test-running, the locomotive underwent long-term feasibility testing on freight services on the Tohoku Main Line.[2] However, the locomotive fell foul of newly introduced government guidelines covering high-frequency electromagnetic noise emissions, and so fleet production was deemed unfeasible.[2] JR Freight instead opted for the Class EH500 and Class EF510 locomotive designs.[2]

EF500-901 was transferred to Sendai Depot in 1996, but subsequently saw little use.[2] It was formally withdrawn on 29 March 2002.[3] The locomotive is stored at JR Freight's Hiroshima Depot.[4]

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  EF500-901 on display at Hiroshima Depot open day in October 2015