JNR Class EF64

Data (as of 23 May 2026)

History

Class EF64 is a type of electric locomotive (DC 1.5 kV) developed by Japanese National Railways. It was designed for mountainous areas with steep gradients often with heavy snow in winter. There are two groups, variants 0 and 1000, and they are very different as described below.

The variant 0 (EF64-0) was introduced in 1964-76 with 79 locos in total. They were initially allocated to the Ou Main Line in Fukushima Prefecture, and later introduced to the Chuo Main Line. Those in Fukushima were reallocated to the Chuo Main Line as the Ou Main Line electrification was changed from DC 1.5 kV to AC 20 kV 50 Hz.

The variant 1000 (EF64-1000) was introduced to the Joetsu and Takasaki Lines with 53 locos in total. Since both lines were notorious for extreme amount of snowfall, there were major changes on the structure. The EF64-1000 locos also have enhanced braking systems to cope with slippery track in winter.

Both variants were used for passenger and freight trains, and some EF64-0s were also used as bank engine pushing diesel multiple units. They also engaged in Sleeper Limited Express services like Hokuriku (Ueno - Kanazawa via the Joetsu Line).

When JNR was privatised in 1987, 14 out of 132 locos were allocated to JR East, three to JR Central, two to JR West and 113 to JR Freight. JR East had used them for Sleeper Limited Express services until when Akebono (Ueno - Aomori via the Joetsu and Uetsu Main Lines) was discontiued in 2014. JR Central and JR West owned a few for seasonal trains and ad hoc work but withdrawn by 2009.

All EF64-0s were scrapped by 2021, and most EF64-1000s have been withdrawn by the mid-2020s.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

JR Freight uses them only on the San-yo Main and Hakubi Lines between Okayama Freight Terminal and Hoki-Daisen. There are a few locos registered for mainline use, but most of them have been taken out of service. Those in service are also likely to be retired by around 2027.

Photos

Some EF64-0 locos owned by JR East were painted brown.

Another EF64-0 in the original livery.

JR East's EF64-1000s often haul trains for scrap, as well as delivering brand new trains.

Some EF64-0s of JR Freight in Hiroshima (and later Okayama) had a pale yellow gangway.

JR Freight's EF64-1000 was common in the capital until the mid-2010s.

Refurbished EF64-1000s owned by JR Freight were painted as such.

So-called new Hiroshima livery, which no longer exists today.