The Class EF57 (EF57形) of 2-C+C-2 wheel arrangement DC electric locomotives was a development of the previous JNR Class EF56. 15 Class EF57s were built between 1939 and 1943 by Hitachi and Kawasaki.

Class EF57
Preserved EF57 7 in October 2008
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderHitachi, Kawasaki
Build date1939–1943
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AAR2-C+C-2
 • UIC(2'Co)(Co2')
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Driver dia.1,250 mm (49.21 in)
Length19,920 mm (65 ft 4+14 in)
Width2,810 mm (9 ft 2+58 in)
Height4,091 mm (13 ft 5+18 in)
Loco weight110.82 t
(109.07 long tons; 122.16 short tons)
Electric system/s1,500 V DC overhead line
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Traction motorsDC
Performance figures
Maximum speed95 km/h (59 mph)
Power output1.56 MW (2,090 hp)
Tractive effort9,500 kgf (93,160 N; 20,940 lbf)
Career
OperatorsJNR
Number in class172
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

Introduced on Tokaido Line passenger services, they were seen at the head of expresses such as the Tsubame, complete with train headboard mounted precariously on the front of the cab decks. With the introduction of the newer semi-streamlined Class EF58s on Tokaido Line services, the EF57s were transferred to the Tohoku Main Line. At the same time, their steam-heating boilers were removed and replaced by electric-heating generators.

The class remained in use on long-distance express trains on the Tohoku Main Line until the 1970s.

Preserved examples

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Only one member of the class is preserved: EF57 7 in a park in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture.

See also

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References

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  • Inoue, Kōichi (1999). 国鉄機関車事典: 蒸気・電気・ディーゼル機関車66形式 国鉄機関車辞典 [JNR Locomotive Encyclopedia] (in Japanese). Japan: Sankaido. pp. 96–97. ISBN 978-4-381-10338-3.