JR Freight Class ED500

The JR Freight Class ED500 was a prototype dual-voltage electric locomotive operated by JR Freight from 1992 to 1994.
==History==
In the early 1990s, JR Freight had a requirement to replace the Class ED75 locomotives on Tōhoku Main Line freight services. One prototype locomotive was built by Hitachi and loaned to JR Freight for testing purposes. The locomotive was initially given the provisional designation of ED•X before being given the official designation of ED500-901. The locomotive began testing in 1992, but problems arose during testing on the 2.5% gradients on the Tōhoku Main Line and further problems arose in the Seikan Tunnel. As such, the locomotive was not selected for mass production, with the Class EH500 being selected for this role instead and the EF510 being selected for Seikan Tunnel usage.
After testing, the train was returned to Hitachi and stored at their Mito Plant; the train was then stripped of its electric equipment. After years of deterioration, the locomotive was scrapped in 2016; only a single bogie is preserved at Hitachi's Mito Plant. Since the production of the ED500, no electric locomotives have been manufactured by Hitachi.
==Design==
The Class ED500 featured a design largely based on the previous Class EF200s. It was finished in matte black with red cab doors and other detailing. Prior to being loaned to JR Freight, the locomotive featured large "ED-X" lettering on its sides. The locomotive featured circular headlamps and taillamps instead of rectangular ones.
==Specifications==
The Class ED500 was a prototype electric locomotive largely based on the Class EF200 locomotive. The locomotive used a Hitachi GTO variable frequency drive, said to be of a similar specification to that of the EF200 as well. The locomotive was said to have produce 4,000 kW (5,364 hp) and 19,069 kg of tractive effort.
==Preservation==
The following Class ED500 locomotives were preserved in the past but have since been scrapped:
Number 	Manufacturer	Equipment manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired	Last location 	Notes
ED500-901	Hitachi 	Hitachi 	22 August 1992 	1994 	Hitachi Mito Plant, Ibaraki, Japan	Stored after withdrawal on siding, scrapped 2016 due to deterioration; only one bogie preserved, last electric locomotive produced by Hitachi
==Gallery==
ED500 2015.jpg|The locomotive at Hitachi's Mito Plant in June 2015
==References==
*Wikipedia.org
Category:Electric locomotives
Category:Locomotives
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Hitachi locomotives
Category:Built in 1992
Category:Unique locomotives
Category:Scrapped locomotives
Category:B-B locomotives
Category:Japanese locomotives
Category:Freight locomotives
Category:Prototype locomotives
Category:Scrapped electric locomotives