JNR Class EF64

The JNR Class EF64 is a six-axle DC electric locomotive with a Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement, operated on passenger and freight services in Japan since 1964. It was designed to replace the ageing EF16 class on the steeply graded Ōu and Chūō main lines. Two prototypes, EF64 1 and EF64 2, were delivered in 1964, built by Toshiba and Kawasaki Sharyo respectively, and full production started in 1965. The EF64-0 subclass of 79 locomotives was built until 1976. The EF64-1000 subclass, an almost new design with a longer body, was built from 1980 to 1982 by Kawasaki and Toyo Electric and is largely based at Takasaki for Joetsu Line freight. The first class member was withdrawn in 2003 after the JR Freight Class EH200 arrived, and by April 2016 forty-seven were still in service with JR East and JR Freight.