JNR Class EF58


The Class EF58 is a class of Japanese 2-C+C-2 wheel arrangement DC electric locomotives. 172 locomotives were built between 1946 and 1958.

The later years

In 1984, 64 out of 172 EF58 locos built were still in service or temporary storage. However, they were withdrawn en masse from Tokaido and Sanyo Main Line freight duties in 1984, and by 1987, immediately prior to privatization of JNR, there were just four members of the class remaining in service. Details of the locomotives currently in operational service are as follows.

EF58 61

Owned by JR East and based at Tabata Depot in Tokyo, this locomotive was built in 1953 by Hitachi specially for use as the official Imperial Train locomotive, a role it performs to the present day. While other locos had chrome-plated “whiskers” on the cab ends, this loco was built with stainless steel whiskers extending as a thin band along the body sides. The loco remains in its original brown livery, and is maintained in immaculate condition.

EF58 122

Owned by JR Central and based at Shizuoka Depot, this loco was built in 1957 by Hitachi. It was repainted in 1992 from the standard blue/cream livery to its current all-over brown for use on special event trains on the Tōkaidō and Iida Lines. This locomotive was cut up at Hamamatsu Works in January 2009.

Preserved examples

Alf, a character from Robot Trains, is based on JNR Class EF58.