JNR Class EF15

The JNR Class EF15 is a Japanese DC electric locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways from 1947 to November 1986.
==History==
The EF15 was designed to meet transportation needs immediately after the conclusion of World War II. Intended for freight service alongside the similar EF58 designed for passenger service, 202 locomotives were built from 1947 to 1958.
When these were introduced the EF15s were used on numerous major lines, such as the Tōkaidō and San'yō Main Lines. With the introduction of regional freight trains the EF15s would slowly be replaced; combined with their age withdrawal and scrapping of the locomotives began in 1978. On these lines, the EF15 would be replaced with newer EF60 locomotives. Operations centered in the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Jōetsu Line were stopped in the 1980s; the locomotives on the Tōhoku Main Line were replaced with EF64s.
By this point only the Hanwa Line and Kisei Main Line operated EF15s; most locomotives were replaced with EF60s with the 14 March 1985 timetable revision, with only three locomotives, EF15 123, EF15 158 and EF15 184 still in service. All three were retired on 1 November 1986 with the introduction of the revised timetable due to the abolition of freight trains on the Kisei Main Line, a few months before JNR's privatization and division in April 1987. Of these, EF15 158 remained registered on the fleet register, with its ownership passing to JR West when the JNR was privatized although it did not run any revenue services.
Four locomotives have been preserved, including EF15 158. EF15 192 was stored at the Ōmiya General Rolling Stock Center but was scrapped in 2017.
==Design==
The EF15s featured large box-shaped bodies with large top-mounted headlights.
==Specifications==
The EF15s used a nose suspension drive system. MT41 or MT42 traction motors were used on the locomotives. Numerous parts were shared with the EF58.
==Preservation==
The following Class EF15 locomotives have been preserved:
Number 	Manufacturer 	Equipment manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired 	Location 	Notes
EF15 120	Shin-Mitsubishi Jukōgyō	Mitsubishi Electric 	7 September 1954 	19 January 1983 	Shinkansen Park, Osaka, Japan 	Preserved near 21-73
EF15 158	Hitachi 	Hitachi 	20 February 1958 	31 October 2011 	Aboshi General Rolling Stock Depot, Hyōgo, Japan 	Stored in shed; remained on JR West's fleet roster until October 2011
EF15 165	Hitachi 	Hitachi 	22 July 1958 	28 October 1985 	Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma, Japan 	Displayed outdoors; cosmetically restored 2024
EF15 198	Kisha Seizō 	Tōyō Denki 	1 October 1958 	10 February 1986	Nirasaki Central Park, Yamanashi, Japan 	Displayed outdoors, painted in light brown
EF15 168	Hitachi 	Hitachi 	5 August 1958 	23 August 1984 	Ōmiya General Rolling Stock Center, Saitama, JapanTanōhatako Yachi, Osaka, Japan	Cab ends only; both preserved in different locations
The following Class EF15 locomotives were preserved in the past but have since been scrappwd:
Number 	Manufacturer 	Equipment manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired 	Last location 	Notes
EF15 192	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	Kawasaki Sharyō 	18 September 1958	20 November 1985	Ōmiya General Rolling Stock Center, Saitama, Japan	Scrapped 2017
==Gallery==
File:JNR EL EF15 19840726 005.jpg
File:JNR EF15 165 2020.jpg
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Electric locomotives
Category:1-C+C-1 locomotives
Category:Narrow-gauge
Category:Narrow-gauge locomotives
Category:Hitachi locomotives
Category:Kawasaki locomotives
Category:Kisha Seizō locomotives
Category:Mitsubishi locomotives
Category:Nippon Sharyo locomotives
Category:Toshiba locomotives
Category:Japanese locomotives