Class EH500

Class EH500
EH500-31 at Koriyama Rolling Stock Centre in August 2010
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Toshiba Build date 1997–
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo' Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Length 25,000 mm (82 ft 0 in) Width 2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in) Height 3,917 mm (12 ft 10.2 in) Loco weight 134.2 t Electric system/s 1,500 V DC & 20 kV (50/60 Hz) AC Traction motors AC Safety systems ATS-SF
Performance figures Maximum speed 110 km/h (70 mph) Power output 4 MW (5,400 hp) Tractive effort 24,551 kgf (240,760 N; 54,130 lbf)
Career Operators JR Freight Number in class 82 (as of 1 March 2017[update]) Delivered September 1997 Disposition Operational

The Class EH500 (EH500形) is a Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo' wheel arrangement multi-system AC/DC two-unit electric locomotive type operated by JR Freight in Japan since 1997.

The locomotives are built at the Toshiba factory in Fuchū, Tokyo. Initially, they were all based at Sendai depot for use on long-distance container trains from the Tokyo area to Hokkaido via the Tohoku Main Line, replacing DC Class EF65s south of Kuroiso, pairs of AC Class ED75s north of Kuroiso, and pairs of AC Class ED79s through the Seikan Tunnel.

In 2004, locomotives EH500-25 and EH500-27 were loaned in turn to Moji depot in Kitakyushu for trials. From 2007, a number of EH500s were transferred to Moji depot for use on 1,300 tonne freight trains between Honshu and Kyushu through the Kanmon Tunnel, replacing ageing AC Class ED76s and dual-voltage EF81-300s and EF81-400s.

As of 1 April 2013^[update], the fleet totalled 82 locomotives (EH500-901 and EH500-1 to EH500-81). 12 locomotives, EH500-45 to EH500-50 and EH500-67 to EH500-72, are based at Moji Depot, and the other 70 members of the class are based at Sendai.