The Class EF67 is a retired class of electric locomotives operated by Japan Freight Railway Company (JR Freight) as dedicated banking locomotives on the steeply-graded "Senohachi" section of the Sanyo Main Line between Seno and Hachihonmatsu. The class is subdivided into three EF67-0 locomotives converted between 1982 and 1984 from former Class EF60 locomotives, and five EF67-100 locomotives converted in 1990 from former Class EF65 locomotives.[1]

Class EF67
Refurbished EF67 104 in August 2009
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
Rebuild date1982–1990
Number rebuilt8
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICBo′Bo′Bo′
 • CommonwealthBo-Bo-Bo
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Length17,050 mm (55 ft 11+14 in) (EF67-0)
16,875 mm (55 ft 4+38 in) (EF67-100)
Width2,800 mm (9 ft 2+14 in) (EF67-0)
2,949 mm (9 ft 8+18 in) (EF67-100)
Height3,819 mm (12 ft 6+38 in) (EF67-0)
3,970 mm (13 ft 14 in) (EF67-100)
Loco weight99.6 t
(98.0 long tons; 109.8 short tons)
Electric system/s1,500 V DC overhead line
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Power output2.85 MW (3,820 hp)
Tractive effort21,150 kgf (46,600 lbf)
Career
OperatorsJR Freight
Number in class0
LocaleHiroshima Depot
RetiredFebruary 2022
Preserved1
Current ownerJR Freight
DispositionWithdrawn

With the introduction of the Class EF210-300 from 2013, the Class EF67 fleet was gradually withdrawn, with the last unit, EF67 105, being withdrawn from regular service in February 2022.[2]

EF67-0 edit

Three EF67-0s were built from former 4th-batch Class EF60 locomotives from 1982 for use banking freight trains over 1,000 tonnes, for which the former EF61-200 banking locomotives were unsuitable. The No. 1 end was modified with a gangway door and access platform.[1] The locomotives were painted in an all-over orange livery (officially "Red No. 11") with yellow strips below the cab windows.[3] These three locomotives are fitted with PS22D scissors-type pantographs.[1]

The EF67-0s were equipped with an automatic uncoupling mechanism at the No. 1 end to enable the banking locomotives to be uncoupled on the fly, but uncoupling while in motion was discontinued from the start of the 22 March 2002 timetable revision.[3]

Following the introduction of the Class EF210-300 in 2013, EF67 2 and 3 were withdrawn, with EF67 1 following in 2014. As of April 2022, EF67 1 is preserved at Hiroshima Depot.[2]

Conversion details edit

The EF67-0s were converted as shown below.[4]

Number Former number Built Rebuilt
EF67 1 EF60 104 30 September 1964 31 March 1982
EF67 2 EF60 129 27 October 1964 30 January 1984
EF67 3 EF60 88 9 July 1964 25 December 1986

EF67-100 edit

Five EF67-100s were built from former 6th-batch Class EF65-0 locomotives from 1990 to replace the ageing EF61-200 banking locomotives. The EF67-100 fleet was refurbished between 2003 and 2004, and repainted into a revised livery with grey and white lines along the lower body side.[1] These locomotives were originally fitted with PS22B scissors-type pantographs, which were replaced with single-arm pantographs on refurbishment, but these were subsequently returned to PS22B scissors-type pantographs.

EF67 103 and 104 were scrapped in 2016, and 101 and 102 were scrapped in 2020.[2]: 3  The last EF67 in operation, EF67 105, was withdrawn from regular service in February 2022,[5] and operated a commemorative final-run service on 29 March of that year.[6]

Conversion details edit

The EF67-100s were converted as shown below.[4]

Number Former number Built Rebuilt
EF67 101 EF65 134 6 August 1970 23 March 1990
EF67 102 EF65 131 16 July 1970 1 May 1990
EF67 103 EF65 133 30 July 1970 29 September 1990
EF67 104 EF65 132 20 July 1970 9 November 1990
EF67 105 EF65 135 20 August 1970 8 March 1991

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  2. ^ a b c Matsunuma, Takeshi (26 April 2022). 貨物列車の「後押し専門機関車」EF67形ついに引退 [Specialized booster freight locomotive, Class EF67, finally withdrawn]. Toyo Keizai Online (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b JR貨物のEF67近況 [Current Status of JR Freight EF67]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 51, no. 602. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. June 2011. pp. 102–105.
  4. ^ a b Seki, Takahiro (December 2012). セノハチの後押し機関車 [Senohachi Banking locomotives]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52, no. 620. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 86–93.
  5. ^ 赤い機関車EF67形が勇退、それでも「セノハチ」に補機が必要な理由 [The red EF67 locomotive has been retired, but "Senobachi" still needs auxiliary equipment]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 10 April 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  6. ^ 補機専用機、これにて完全引退! EF67形式直流電気機関車 さよならセレモニー、開催される [End of the line for the Class EF67 banking DC electric locomotive! Farewell ceremony held]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2023.

Further reading edit

  • Miura, Mamoru (December 2016). EF67形ものがたり [The Class EF67 story]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56, no. 668. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 100–107.