# JNR ED61 class

> class of Japanese electric locomotives

**Wikidata**: [Q11421812](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11421812)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jnr-ed61-class

## Summary
The JNR ED61 class is a class of Japanese electric locomotives manufactured by Hitachi, Toshiba, Fuji Electric, and Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing. With a total production of 18 units featuring a Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement, these locomotives operated on the 1067 mm track gauge with 1500 V DC electrification.

## Key Facts
- JNR ED61 class is a type of electric locomotive manufactured by Hitachi, Toshiba, Fuji Electric, and Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing
- The locomotives were operated by Japanese National Railways in Japan
- They feature a Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement with a track gauge of 1067 mm
- The class was powered by 1500 V DC electrification using overhead contact lines
- A total of 18 locomotives were produced in this class
- The locomotives are documented in Japanese (ja) and Chinese (zh) Wikipedia entries
- Toshiba, one of the manufacturers, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate founded in 1875

## FAQs
### Q: How many JNR ED61 locomotives were produced?
A: A total of 18 locomotives were produced in the JNR ED61 class.

### Q: Which companies manufactured the JNR ED61 locomotives?
A: The JNR ED61 class locomotives were manufactured by Hitachi, Toshiba, Fuji Electric, and Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing.

### Q: What was the power system used by JNR ED61 locomotives?
A: The JNR ED61 locomotives operated using 1500 V DC electrification via overhead contact lines.

### Q: What is the wheel arrangement of JNR ED61 locomotives?
A: The JNR ED61 locomotives have a Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement.

### Q: What is the track gauge of JNR ED61 locomotives?
A: The JNR ED61 locomotives operate on a 1067 mm track gauge.

## Why It Matters
The JNR ED61 class represents an important development in Japanese railway technology during the mid-20th century. As electric locomotives designed for Japanese National Railways, they contributed to the modernization and efficiency of the country's rail network. The collaboration among multiple Japanese manufacturers (Hitachi, Toshiba, Fuji Electric, and Kawasaki) demonstrates the domestic industrial capability in railway equipment production. With their 1500 V DC electrification system and Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement, these locomotives were well-suited for Japan's standard narrow-gauge railway network. Although only 18 units were produced, they served as part of Japan's transition to more advanced electric locomotive technologies, influencing subsequent designs and contributing to the overall development of Japanese railway engineering.

## Notable For
- Being manufactured by four different Japanese companies (Hitachi, Toshiba, Fuji Electric, and Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing)
- Operating on Japan's standard narrow-gauge track of 1067 mm
- Utilizing 1500 V DC electrification via overhead contact lines
- Having a Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement providing four powered axles
- Being part of Japanese National Railways' fleet of electric locomotives

## Body
### Manufacturing and Production
The JNR ED61 class locomotives were produced by a consortium of Japanese manufacturers, including Hitachi, Toshiba, Fuji Electric, and Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing. In total, 18 locomotives were manufactured for this class, indicating a relatively small but specialized production run.

### Technical Specifications
- **Wheel Arrangement**: Bo′Bo′ (two axles per truck, all four axles powered)
- **Track Gauge**: 1067 mm (Japan's standard narrow gauge)
- **Electrification**: 1500 V DC via overhead contact lines
- **Operator**: Japanese National Railways

### Geographic and Operational Context
The locomotives operated within Japan's railway network, utilizing the country's standard narrow-gauge track. They were designed specifically for Japanese National Railways, playing a role in the electrification and modernization of the country's rail system during their operational period.

### Documentation and Recognition
The JNR ED61 class is documented in both Japanese (ja) and Chinese (zh) Wikipedia entries, indicating its recognition in East Asian railway history. The class has a dedicated Wikidata entry and is represented with an image in Wikimedia Commons, highlighting its place in railway heritage documentation.

### Manufacturer Background
One of the manufacturers, Toshiba, is a significant Japanese multinational conglomerate founded in 1875. This connection highlights the industrial capacity of Japanese companies in the railway equipment sector and their contribution to the country's railway development.