JNR Class EF56

The JNR Class EF56 was a Japanese DC electric locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways from 1937 to 1975.
==History==
The EF56 was an electric locomotive designed for passenger service, intended with passenger comfort in mind. The locomotives were fitted with steam generators so that heated passenger cars did not need to be connected to allow heated comforts.
Seven locomotives were manufactured in 1937 and five in 1940 to make a total of twelve locomotives. When they were introduced they were used to pull limited express passenger trains on the Tōkaidō Main Line; as newer locomotives were built the EF56s were relegated to pulling freight trains, although they still pulled passenger trains from time to time. With the introduction of the EF57s the locomotives would be used to pull freight trains exclusively.
Five EF56s were deployed on the San'yō Main Line, where they were rebuilt into EF59 locomotives EF59 20 through EF59 24 from 1969 to 1972. Withdrawals began with the introduction of the EF58 on these lines and all locomotives were withdrawn by 1975. The EF56s that were converted to EF59s were mostly retired by 1979, with the exception of EF59 21 (ex-EF56 2) which was struck off the register in March 1987.
No EF56s have been preserved, although the aformentioned EF59 21 has been preserved at JR West's Hiroshima Depot.
==Design==
The EF56s featured large box-shaped bodies with large top-mounted headlights.
==Specifications==
The EF56s used a nose suspension drive system. MT17 traction motors were used on the locomotives.
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Electric locomotives
Category:2-C+C-2 locomotives
Category:Narrow-gauge
Category:Narrow-gauge locomotives
Category:Hitachi locomotives
Category:Kawasaki locomotives
Category:Mitsubishi locomotives
Category:Japanese locomotives
Category:Scrapped electric locomotives