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The Class EH800 (EH800形) is a Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement multi-voltage AC two-unit electric locomotive type operated by Japan Freight Railway Company (JR Freight) in Japan hauling freight trains on the Kaikyō Line through the Seikan Tunnel separating mainland Honshu with the northern island of Hokkaido. A prototype locomotive was delivered in January 2013 for evaluation and testing, with full-production locomotives delivered from June 2014, entering service from July 2014.

Class EH800
EH800-2 in service in July 2016
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Toshiba Build date 2012–
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′ Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Bogies FD7[1] Wheel diameter 1,120 mm (44 in)[1] Length 25,000 mm (82 ft 0 in)[1] Width 2,808 mm (9 ft 3 in)[1] Loco weight 134.4 t[1] Electric system/s 20/25 kV AC, 50 Hz[1] Safety systems ATS-SF, ATC-L (DS-ATC)[1]
Performance figures Maximum speed 110 km/h (70 mph)[1] Power output 4 MW (5,400 hp) at 25 kV[1] 3.04 MW (4,080 hp) at 20 kV[2] Tractive effort: ​  • Starting 411.6 kN (92,500 lbf)  • Continuous 240.5 kN (54,100 lbf)[1]
Career Operators JR Freight Number in class 20 (as of 1 March 2017[update]) Delivered January 2013 First run July 2014

Background

In order to allow Hokkaido Shinkansen services to operate through the dual-gauge Seikan Tunnel (which commenced on 26 March 2016), the overhead line system voltage was raised from the narrow gauge standard of 20 kV AC to the standard shinkansen power supply of 25 kV AC. A fleet of approximately 20 new dual-voltage locomotives capable of operating under either 20 kV or 25 kV was therefore required to replace the Class ED79 and Class EH500 locomotives previously used to haul freight and overnight sleeping car services through the tunnel.[3] These locomotives are also compatible with the digital ATC and feature digital train wireless communications.[3] The total cost of manufacturing the fleet of locomotives together with construction of new maintenance depot facilities was approximately 19 billion yen.[4]

Design

The Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement locomotives are painted in an all-over red livery with a white bodyside line and silver wavy line.[5]

Operations

The locomotives operate between Higashi-Aomori Freight Terminal and Goryōkaku Freight Terminal via the Kaikyō Line and Seikan Tunnel.[4]

• 
  EH800-3 hauling a Cassiopeia cruise train in July 2016

History

Design of the prototype locomotive, EH800-901, began in fiscal 2010,[4] and the completed locomotive was unveiled to the press at the Toshiba factory in Fuchū, Tokyo, on 27 November 2012.[6] It was delivered to JR Freight in Sendai in January 2013.[7] Following delivery, the prototype locomotive was tested within the confines of Higashi-Fukushima Station before being moved to Goryōkaku Depot in Hokkaido for testing in winter conditions.[8]

The first full-production locomotive was delivered in June 2014.[9] This entered revenue service on 16 July 2014.[10]

Fleet list

As of 1 March 2017^[update], 20 Class EH800 locomotives are in service.[11]

Number	Manufacturer	Date delivered	Remarks
EH800-901	Toshiba	January 2013	Prototype
EH800-1	Toshiba	June 2014	Full-production locomotives
EH800-2	Toshiba	July 2014
EH800-3	Toshiba	August 2014
EH800-4	Toshiba	September 2014
EH800-5	Toshiba	October 2014
EH800-6	Toshiba	December 2014
EH800-7	Toshiba	February 2015[12]
EH800-8	Toshiba	February 2015[13]
EH800-9	Toshiba	April 2015[14]
EH800-10	Toshiba	May 2015
EH800-11	Toshiba	June 2015[15]
EH800-12	Toshiba	July 2015[16]
EH800-13	Toshiba	September 2015[17]
EH800-14	Toshiba	November 2015[18]
EH800-15	Toshiba	January 2016[19]
EH800-16	Toshiba	February 2016[20]
EH800-17	Toshiba	September 2016[21]
EH800-18	Toshiba	October 2016[22]
EH800-19	Toshiba	December 2016[23]

Classification

The EH800 classification for this locomotive type is explained below. As with previous locomotive designs, the prototype is numbered EH800-901, with subsequent production locomotives numbered from EH800-1 onward.

• E: Electric locomotive
• H: Eight driving axles
• 800: AC locomotive with AC motors

See also

• Train on Train, a piggy-back concept for transporting freight through the Seikan Tunnel at higher speeds

References

Further reading

• Sugiyama, Yoshikazu (April 2014). "EH800交流電気機関車" [Class EH800 AC electric locomotive]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 54, no. 636. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 72–75.

External links

• Toshiba press release (27 November 2012) (in Japanese)

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