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ED79-0: Numbers ED79-1 – 21 (converted from ED75-700, 1986-1987)
ED79-50: Numbers ED79-51 – 60 (built from new)
ED79-100: Number ED79-101 – 113 (converted from ED75-700, 1986-1987)
ED79-0
21 Class ED79-0 locomotives were converted between 1986 and 1987 at JNR's Omiya, Tsuchizaki, and Naebo Workshops from former Class ED75-700 locomotives to haul both freight and passenger trains through the undersea Seikan Tunnel between the main island of Honshu and the northern island of Hokkaido, which opened in March 1988. The gear ratio was reduced from the 4.44 of the original ED75 locomotives to 3.38, giving a top speed of 110 km/h (70 mph) better suited to express passenger and freight workings. With the privatization of JNR on 1 April 1987, all 21 locomotives were transferred to the ownership of JR Hokkaido.
Daytime Kaikyo services previously hauled by Class ED79 locomotives between Aomori and Hakodate through the Seikan Tunnel were discontinued in 2002, replaced by the Hakucho and Super Hakucho limited express services using electric multiple unit (EMU) trains). In 2006, the Nihonkai sleeping car service no longer ran through the tunnel, and JR Freight also ceased using JR Hokkaido locomotives on freight services, due to the increased availability of Class EH500 locomotives.
By 1 April 2013, nine Class ED79-0 locomotives remained in service, owned by JR Hokkaido and based at Hakodate Depot. These were used to haul the Cassiopeia, Hokutosei, Twilight Express, and Hamanasu overnight services between Aomori and Hakodate via the Seikan Tunnel. All remaining locomotives had been withdrawn by March 2016.
ED79 1 on a Hamanasu service, January 2005
ED79 8 at Hakodate Station after arriving on a Hokutosei overnight sleeping car service, July 2004
The fleet details are shown below.
Number
Converted from
Withdrawn
ED79 1
ED75 765
24 March 2009
ED79 2
ED75 772
18 March 2005
ED79 3
ED75 773
31 March 2003
ED79 4
ED75 774
ED79 5
ED75 776
1 July 2005
ED79 6
ED75 782
31 October 2003
ED79 7
ED75 763
ED79 8
ED75 778
10 February 2006
ED79 9
ED75 779
ED79 10
ED75 780
31 October 2012
ED79 11
ED75 781
ED79 12
ED75 784
ED79 13
ED75 785
ED79 14
ED75 786
ED79 15
ED75 787
30 April 2008
ED79 16
ED75 788
27 September 2004
ED79 17
ED75 789
10 February 2006
ED79 18
ED75 790
ED79 19
ED75 791
30 April 2008
ED79 20
ED75 760
ED79 21
ED75 783
25 August 2003
Special liveries
ED79 21 in July 2002
From February 2000, eight locomotives (numbers 3, 8, 10, 11, 14, 17, 19, and 21) received differing Doraemon liveries.
ED79-50
10 Class ED79-50 locomotives were built between 1989 and 1990 by Toshiba for JR Freight for use on freight services through the Seikan Tunnel. These locos were finished from new in the then-new JR Freight livery of pale purple and two-tone blue, with maroon ("Red No. 2") cab doors.
As of March 2015, nine out of the original ten Class ED79-50 locomotives remained in service, owned by JR Freight and based at Goryokaku Depot. These were normally used in pairs to haul freight services between Higashi-Aomori and Goryokaku via the Seikan Tunnel. All were scheduled to be withdrawn by March 2016 when the line voltage through the Seikan Tunnel was raised from 20 kV AC to 25 kV AC with the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen.
ED79 60 in February 2010
ED79 55 and 51 on a freight service in June 2013
The withdrawal dates for the fleet are shown below.
Number
Delivered
Withdrawn
ED79 51
-
ED79 52
-
ED79 53
-
ED79 54
-
ED79 55
-
ED79 56
-
24 March 2000
ED79 57
-
ED79 58
-
ED79 59
-
ED79 60
-
ED79-100
13 Class ED79-100 locomotives were converted between 1986 and 1987 at JNR's Omiya, Tsuchizaki, and Naebo Workshops from former Class ED75-700 locomotives. As with the ED79-0 subclass, these were intended to haul freight and passenger trains through the undersea Seikan Tunnel between Honshu and Hokkaido, but as a cost-saving measure, only one cab end was equipped with the necessary ATC equipment, so these locomotives were only able to operate in multiple with an ED79-0 locomotive and were not permitted to run singly through the tunnel. An ED79-100 locomotive would be coupled at the northern end of an ED75-0.
With the privatization of JNR on 1 April 1987, all 13 locomotives were transferred to the ownership of JR Hokkaido, although they were also loaned for use on JR Freight services until 2006. The last remaining member of the sub-class was withdrawn in March 2009.
JR Hokkaido ED79 19 on a Kaikyo service in 1992
ED79 1 on a Hamanasu service, January 2005
ED79 8 at Hakodate Station after arriving on a Hokutosei overnight sleeping car service, July 2004
ED79 60 in February 2010
ED79 55 and 51 on a freight service in June 2013
ED79 106 and ED79 10 in 1991
Japanese National Railway Electric Locomotives
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Locomotives of Hokkaido Railway Company