View source for JNR Class EF63

{{Short description|Japanese electric locomotive type}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox locomotive
|name=Class EF63
|powertype=Electric
|image= JRE-EF6316-JRW-EC489-Hakusan.jpg
|caption= A pair of EF63s leading a 489 series EMU on a ''Hakusan'' service in June 1997
|builder= Kawasaki, Mitsubishi and Tōshiba
|builddate=1962–1976
|uicclass=[[Bo-Bo-Bo]]
|gauge={{track gauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
|wheeldiameter={{convert|1120|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}
|wheelbase=
|length={{convert|18050|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}
|width={{convert|2800|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}
|height={{convert|4060|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}
|locoweight= {{convert|108|t|abbr=on}}
|electricsystem=1,500 [[Volt|V]] [[Direct current|DC]] [[overhead line]]s
| collectionmethod = [[Pantograph (transport)|Pantograph]]
|tractionmotors=DC
|transmission=
|maxspeed= {{convert|100|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}
|poweroutput={{convert|2.55|MW|hp|-1|abbr=on}}
|tractiveeffort= {{convert|23400|kgf|0|abbr=on}}
|operator=[[JNR]], [[JR East]], [[JR Freight]]
|numinclass= 25
|firstrundate= 1 October 1963
|withdrawndate= 30 September 1997
|disposition=All withdrawn
}}

The {{Nihongo|'''Class EF63'''|EF63形}} is a class of 1,500 V DC electric locomotives formerly operating in Japan.

==History==
A total of 25 Class EF63 locomotives were built between 1962 and 1976 exclusively for use as [[Bank engine|bankers]] (U.S. "helpers" or "pushers") on the steeply-graded [[Usui Pass]] section of the [[Shinetsu Main Line]] between {{STN|Yokokawa|x}} and {{STN|Karuizawa|x}}. They replaced the Class ED42 electric locomotives previously used on the rack-and-pinion line between these two stations.

The prototype, EF63 1, was produced in 1962 by Toshiba for testing before full production of the class started in 1963 spread between manufacturers Kawasaki, Mitsubishi and Toshiba. The class was equipped with a number of special safety features to cope with the unique conditions of operating on the 66.7[[Per mil|‰]], 6.67 [[Percent sign|%]] [[Grade (slope)|gradient]] of the Usui Pass.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://d-arch.ide.go.jp/je_archive/society/wp_je_unu36.html|title= Technological independence and progress of standardization in the Japanese railways|access-date=2 January 2009 |last= Harada|first= Katsumasa|year= 1981|publisher= [[JETRO]]|quote=it was eventually decided to build the track at a steep grade of 66.7/1,000 }}</ref> These included independent dynamic brakes on all six axles (hence the large louvres along the bodysides for heat dissipation), magnetic adhesion brakes operating directly on the rails, and mechanical locking brakes. Small wheels attached to the centre bogie were used to measure the train speed and apply the brakes in the case of run-away. The class used the same 425&nbsp;kW MT52 traction motors used on the [[JNR Class EF62|EF62s]] and also the [[JNR Class EF70|EF70s]].
The entire class was based at Yokokawa depot, and they were always used in pairs at the Yokokawa end of trains travelling in both directions, and were capable of operating in multiple with Class EF62 locomotives and a wide range of EMU types (including [[115 series|115]], [[185 series|185]], 189, [[489 series]]) – hence the impressive array of jumper cables and connectors on the Karuizawa ends of the locos.<ref group="note">Their Karuizawa ends had [[dual coupling]], the Yokokawa ends had normal [[Janney coupling]] though.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}</ref> Trains ascending the incline from Yokokawa were driven by the driver in the rearmost cab of the EF63 pair at the rear of the train, with the driver in the front cab of the train acting only as signal look-out.

Locos EF63 5 and EF63 9 were written off after a runaway derailment also involving two EF62s in 1975, and EF63 24 and EF63 25 were additionally built in 1976 to replace these two.

In 1978, EF63 11 and 13 were specially turned out to work an imperial train over the Usui Pass.

Following privatization of JNR, the entire fleet was transferred to JR East operation with the exception of EF63 1 and 14 operated by JR Freight.

The closure of the Yokokawa to Karuizawa section of the Shinetsu Main Line in September 1997 coinciding with the opening of the new [[Nagano Shinkansen]] marked the end of the careers of the EF63 locomotives. Before their final withdrawal, however, a number of locos (EF63 18, 19, 24, and 25) were repainted into original brown livery following their last overhauls in 1997. Incidentally, these locomotives were delivered in standard blue livery from new.

== E43000 ==
[[File:TCDD E43042 at Haydarpasa.jpg|thumb|E43000 is a class based on EF63]]
The '''TCDD E43000''' is a twin-cab six-axle [[Bo-Bo-Bo]] [[electric locomotive]] used previously by the [[Turkish State Railways]] and currently by [[TCDD Taşımacılık]] in [[Turkey]]. The locomotives were designed by [[Toshiba]] and built by [[TÜLOMSAŞ]] at their Eskişehir shops. The locomotive is based on the JNR Class EF63 electric locomotive in [[Japan]], built by Toshiba. The Turkish State Railways ordered 45 locomotives as part of the railways electrification program of the late-1980s early-1990s.<ref>{{Citation |title=TCDD E 43000 |date=2025-05-22 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TCDD_E_43000 |access-date=2025-05-24 |language=en}}</ref>

==Locomotive histories==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! No.
! Builder
! Built
! Withdrawn 
|-
| EF63 1
| Toshiba
| 1962
| 1984
|-
| EF63 2
| Toshiba
| 1963
| 1998
|-
| EF63 3
| Toshiba
| 1963
| 1998
|-
| EF63 4
| Toshiba
| 1963
| 1998
|-
| EF63 5
| Toshiba
| 1963
| 1975
|-
| EF63 6
| Toshiba
| 1963
| 1998
|-
| EF63 7
| Mitsubishi
| 1963
| 1998
|-
| EF63 8
| Mitsubishi
| 1963
| 1998
|-
| EF63 9
| Mitsubishi
| 1963
| 1975
|-
| EF63 10
| Mitsubishi
| 1963
| 1998
|-
| EF63 11
| Mitsubishi
| 1963
| 1998
|-
| EF63 12
| Mitsubishi
| 1963
| 1998
|-
| EF63 13
| Mitsubishi
| 1963
| 1998
|-
| EF63 14
| Toshiba
| 1966
| 1984
|-
| EF63 15
| Toshiba
| 1966
| 1998
|-
| EF63 16
| Toshiba
| 1966
| 1998
|-
| EF63 17
| Toshiba
| 1966
| 1998
|-
| EF63 18
| Kawasaki
| 1967
| 1998
|-
| EF63 19
| Mitsubishi
| 1967
| 1998
|-
| EF63 20
| Kawasaki
| 1969
| 1998
|-
| EF63 21
| Kawasaki
| 1969
| 1998
|-
| EF63 22
| Kawasaki
| 1974
| 1998
|-
| EF63 23
| Kawasaki
| 1974
| 1998
|-
| EF63 24
| Kawasaki
| 1976
| 1998
|-
| EF63 25
| Kawasaki
| 1976
| 1998
|}
Source:<ref>{{Citation | title = EF63と強調運転 |trans-title=EF63 and cooperative operation | author= Tezuka, Kazuyuki | journal = Japan Railfan Magazine | volume = 36 | issue = 428 | page = 18 et seq| date = December 1996 | language = ja}}</ref>

==Batch differences==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Batch 1:
| EF63 2 – EF63 13
| Icicle cutters added above cab windscreens, rectangular front skirts
|-
| Batch 2:
| EF63 14 – EF63 21
| Recessed tail lights, lightning protector moved to centre of cab roof
|-
| Batch 3:
| EF63 22 – EF63 25
| Loco numbers affixed in number plate form
|}

==Preserved examples==
* '''EF63 1''' [[Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park]], Gunma (brown livery)
* '''EF63 2''' [[Karuizawa Station]]
* '''EF63 10''' Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma
* '''EF63 11''' Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma (operational)
* '''EF63 12''' Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma (operational)
* '''EF63 13''' Cab section only at Omiya Works
* '''EF63 15''' Nagano depot
* '''EF63 18''' Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma (brown livery)
* '''EF63 19''' Nagano depot (brown livery)
* '''EF63 22''' Privately preserved
* '''EF63 24''' Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma (operational)
* '''EF63 25''' Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma (operational)

EF63 24 and 25 are currently used to provide driver training sessions to members of the public at the [[Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park]] on a short stretch of track electrified at 750 V DC (rather than the normal 1,500 V). EF63 11 and 12 are kept as operational spares. All other preserved examples are kept as static exhibits.

<gallery class="center">
File:EF63-1.JPG|EF63 1 preserved at Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park in brown livery
File:Japanese-national-railways-EF63-2-20110907.jpg|EF63 2 preserved at Karuizawa Station, September 2011
File:EF63-13 of JNR.jpg|The cab section of EF63 13
File:Japanese-national-railways-EF63-24-20140518.jpg|EF63 24 at the Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, May 2014
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Japan Railways locomotive numbering and classification]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Commons category|JNR EF63}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book | last = Inoue| first = Kōichi | title = 国鉄機関車事典 |trans-title=JNR Locomotive Encyclopedia| publisher = Sankaido| year = 1999 | location = Japan| isbn = 978-4-381-10338-3}}
* {{cite book | title = JR全車輌ハンドブック2006 |trans-title=JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2006 | publisher = Neko Publishing | year = 2006 | location = Japan | isbn = 978-4-7770-0453-9}}
{{refend}}
{{reflist}}

{{Jnrelec}}
{{Japanloco}}
{{Jreastloco}}
{{Toshiba}}

[[Category:Electric locomotives of Japan]]
[[Category:Bo-Bo-Bo locomotives]]
[[Category:1500 V DC locomotives]]
[[Category:Preserved electric locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1962]]
[[Category:Toshiba locomotives]]
[[Category:Kawasaki locomotives]]
[[Category:1067 mm gauge locomotives of Japan]]