JR Freight Class HD300

Data (as of 31 Mar 2024)

History

Class HD300 is a type of diesel-hybrid shunter. JR Freight has been using Class DE10 and relevant types, many of which were nearly 40 years old. Thus, the company has been replacing those old diesel locomotives with more environmentally friendly and less noisy HD300s. However, the HD300 is so costly that JR Freight decided to introduce it only to busy depots and freight stations.

The HD300 is purely a shunter, and never used on mainline to haul trains.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

The HD300 locos are used at various depots and freight stations across the country, from Naebo Depot (Sapporo) in the north to Fukuoka Freight station in the west. The easiest way to see and take a photo of it in Tokyo is going to Hachioji station.