page_title: Bank engine
section_title: Japan
hierarchical_section_title: Bank engine / Examples / Japan
caption_attribution_description: English: East Japan Railway Company EF63 electric locomotives with West Japan Railway Company 489 series EMU for the limited express Hakusan, on Shin'etsu Main Line between Yokokawa and Karuizawa日本語: JR東日本EF63形電気機関車／JR西日本489系電車 特急「白山」、信越本線横川・軽井沢間にて
context_page_description: A bank engine, banking engine, helper engine or pusher engine is a railway locomotive that temporarily assists a train that requires additional power or traction to climb a gradient. Helpers/bankers are most commonly found in mountain divisions, where the ruling grade may demand the use of substantially greater motive power than that required for other grades within the division.
context_section_description: "Senohachi" section (Seno - Hachihommatsu) of the Sanyo Main Line - Dedicated JNR Class EF67 and EF210-300 electric locomotives assist heavy freight trains from the rear.
  Usui Pass on the Shinetsu Line - The maximum grade of 66.7‰ (1 in 15) necessitated the use of helper locomotives on all trains, including EMUs, both uphill and downhill (for added braking ability). A pair of JNR Class EF63 electric locomotives were coupled at the downhill side of every train. This segment was closed upon the opening of the Nagano Shinkansen in 1997.
caption: JNR Class EF63 locomotives for Usui Pass, Japan
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