The Class EF65 (EF65形) is a 6-axle (Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement) DC electric locomotive type operated on passenger and freight services in Japan since 1965. A total of 308 locomotives were built between 1965 and 1979, with 52 still in service.

Variants

The class was initially divided into the EF65-0 subclass for general freight and the EF65-500 subclass for express freight and passenger use.

Background and history

The Class EF65 was designed by Japanese National Railways (JNR) as a standard locomotive type developed from the earlier Class EF60 design for use primarily on the Tokaido Main Line and Sanyo Main Line.

Operations

During the JNR era, these locomotives were used for freight trains and also for passenger work - primarily hauling night trains such as the Izumo sleeping car limited express and Ginga sleeping car express.

EF65-0

The EF65-0 subclass was designed for general freight use on the Tokaido Main Line and Sanyo Main Line. 135 locomotives were built between 1965 and 1970. , all EF65-0 locomotives had been withdrawn.

EF67 banker conversions

Five 6th-batch Class EF65-0 locomotives, numbers EF65 131 to EF65 135, were converted in 1990 and 1991 to become Class EF67-100 banking locomotives for use on the "Senohachi" section of the Sanyo Main Line.

EF65-500

The EF65-500 subclass consisted of a total of 42 locomotives, including newly built locomotives and locomotives (EF65 535 - 542) modified from the earlier EF65-0 subclass (EF65 77 - 84) for use on overnight sleeping car services and express freight services operating at a maximum speed of 110 km/h. , only one EF65-500 locomotive, EF65-501, owned by JR East, remained in service.

P/F designation

Locomotives used for hauling passenger services are referred to as "P" type, and those used for freight services are referred to as "F" type. The original designations are as shown below.

EF65-1000

The EF65-1000 was intended for use on both passenger and freight services, and was referred to as the "PF" type. 139 locomotives were built between 1969 and 1979. , 15 EF65-1000 locomotives remained in service, operated by JR East and JR West.

EF65-2000

There are former Class EF65-1000 locomotives renumbered from May 2012 by JR Freight to differentiate them from locomotives fitted with driving recording units mandated for operations over 100 kph. , 36 EF65-2000 locomotives remained in service, operated by JR Freight.

Fleet changes

Livery variations

Gallery

Preserved examples