The is a 2Co+Co1 wheel arrangement
electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or on-board energy storage such as a battery or a supercapacitor. Locomotives with on-board fuelled prime movers, such as diesel engines or g ...
type consisting of three locomotives built in 1936 by
Hitachi,
Kawasaki, and Tōyō Electric in Japan.
They were nicknamed "
Moomin
The Moomins ( sv, Mumintroll) are the central characters in a series of novels, short stories, and a comic strip by Finnish writer and illustrator Tove Jansson, originally published in Swedish by Schildts in Finland. They are a family of white ...
".
Operations
They were originally intended to haul limited express trains on the Tōkaidō Line. Although based on the earlier EF53 design, the EF55s featured 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.
Withdrawal
The need to turn locomotives in regular use proved to be the downfall for this small class,
and the locomotives were placed in storage from 1958, and then officially withdrawn in 1964.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 electric locomotive, and EF55 2 was also cut up shortly after.
Preserved examples
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JR East, based at Takasaki depot, until it was finally withdrawn in December 2008.
EF55 1 was moved from Takasaki to in January 2015,
and exhibited at JR East's
Railway Museum
A railway museum is a museum that explores the history of all aspects of rail related transportation, including: locomotives ( steam, diesel, and electric), railway cars, trams, and railway signalling equipment. They may also operate historic ...
from 12 April.
See also
*
Japan Railways locomotive numbering and classification
This page explains the numbering and classification schemes for locomotives employed by the Japanese Government Railways, the Japanese National Railways and the Japan Railways Group.
Steam locomotives
Pre-nationalization
Prior to the natio ...
References
{{Jreastloco
Electric locomotives of Japan
1067 mm gauge locomotives of Japan
2-C+C-1 locomotives
1500 V DC locomotives
Preserved electric locomotives
Railway locomotives introduced in 1936
Hitachi locomotives
Kawasaki locomotives