JNR Class ED17

The JNR Class ED17 is a Japanese DC electric locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways from 1930 to 1972.
==History==
The ED17 is an early electric locomotive used on Japan's freight network. The locomotives were rebuilt from existing electric locomotives imported from the United Kingdom.
A total of 28 locomotives were built, converted from various other electric locomotives; these were extensively modified to give them a new look as well as improve their reliability. The first locomotives to be converted were seventeen ED50 locomotives, with ED50 1 through ED50 17 rebuilt to become ED17 1 through ED17 17; these were rebuilt from 1930 to 1931. During World War II, five more locomotives, comprising three ED51s and two ED52s were rebuilt to become ED17 22 through ED17 26; this was done to increase the number of freight locomotives operating due to an increase in military transportation. The final batch of locomotives to be rebuilt were two ED13s and three ED18s, which were rebuilt from 1949 to 1950 to become ED17 19 through ED17 21 and ED17 27 and ED17 28.
The entire batch of locomotives would be used on the Chūō Main Line, pulling both passenger and freight trains. ED17 23 and ED17 25 were damaged during the war and were scrapped in 1946. From 1953 to 1955, three ED17s, ED17 17, ED17 18 and ED17 3, were rebuilt into ED18s, numbered ED18 1 through ED18 3; this was done to reduce their axle load. Withdrawals began around 1970 and ended in 1972, with ED17 12, ED17 14, ED17 15 and ED17 20, located at Toyohashi Rolling Stock Depot, withdrawn from service.
ED17 1, located at the Railway Museum in Saitama, is the only preserved ED17; prior to this, the locomotive was preserved at Maizuru Castle.
==Design==
The ED17s featured large box-shaped bodies with large top-mounted headlights.
==Specifications==
The ED17s used a nose suspension drive system. MT6A traction motors were used on the locomotives.
==Preservation==
The following Class ED17 locomotives have been preserved:
Number	Manufacturer 	Equipment manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired 	Location 	Notes
ED17 1	North British Locomotive Company	English Electric 	1923 	30 November 1970	The Railway Museum, Saitama, Japan	Ex-1040, ex-ED50 1; displayed indoors, formerly located at Maizuru Castle and Ōmiya Works
== Gallery ==
ED17 1 2024 Plate.jpg|Builder's plate
ED17 1 2024 Marking.jpg|Various markings on side
File:JNR ED17 1 2021.jpg
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Electric locomotives
Category:B-B locomotives
Category:Narrow-gauge
Category:Narrow-gauge locomotives
Category:Japanese locomotives
Category:Sole survivor
Category:Hamamatsu Works locomotives