# JNR EF71 class

> class of 15 Japanese electric locomotives

**Wikidata**: [Q11421837](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11421837)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jnr-ef71-class

## Summary
The JNR EF71 class is a class of 15 electric locomotives operated by Japanese National Railways and later East Japan Railway Company in Japan. They were manufactured by Toshiba, Mitsubishi Electric, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with a Bo′Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement for 20 kV, 50 Hz AC electrification.

## Key Facts
- **Total produced**: 15 locomotives  
- **Manufacturers**: Toshiba, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries  
- **Operators**: Japanese National Railways, East Japan Railway Company  
- **Country**: Japan  
- **Wheel arrangement**: Bo′Bo′Bo′ (6-axle configuration)  
- **Track gauge**: 1067 mm (narrow gauge)  
- **Electrification**: 20 kV, 50 Hz AC  
- **Instance of**: Locomotive class (subclass of electric locomotive)  
- **Aliases**: EF71, JR東日本EF71形電気機関車  
- **Sitelink count**: 3 (Wikidata/Wikipedia coverage)  

## FAQs
### Q: How many locomotives are in the JNR EF71 class?  
A: The class consists of exactly 15 locomotives, as confirmed by structured production records.  

### Q: Which companies manufactured the JNR EF71 class?  
A: The locomotives were produced by Toshiba, Mitsubishi Electric, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.  

### Q: What was the primary use of the JNR EF71 class?  
A: They were designed for electric locomotive operations, primarily under Japanese National Railways and later East Japan Railway Company, utilizing 20 kV, 50 Hz AC electrification.  

### Q: What technical specifications define the JNR EF71 class?  
A: Key specifications include a Bo′Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement, 1067 mm track gauge compatibility, and operation on 20 kV, 50 Hz AC power systems.  

## Why It Matters
The JNR EF71 class exemplifies Japan's mid-20th-century industrial capabilities in railway manufacturing, showcasing collaboration between major conglomerates like Toshiba and Mitsubishi. As part of Japan's electrification push, it enabled efficient rail transport across challenging terrain with its high-traction Bo′Bo′Bo′ design. Its transition from Japanese National Railways to East Japan Railway Company reflects Japan's broader railway privatization reforms, preserving operational continuity during national infrastructure transitions. Though now retired, the class remains culturally significant in Japan's railway heritage, documented through multilingual Wikipedia entries and technical archives.  

## Notable For  
- **Compact production run**: One of Japan's smallest post-war locomotive classes with only 15 units built.  
- **Multi-manufacturer collaboration**: Unusual joint production by Toshiba, Mitsubishi Electric, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.  
- **Standardized electrification**: Optimized for 20 kV, 50 Hz AC systems, reflecting Japan's mainline electrification standards.  
- **Narrow-gauge design**: Operated on Japan's 1067 mm track gauge, typical for regional lines.  
- **Cross-era service**: Operated under both state-run Japanese National Railways and privatized East Japan Railway Company.  

## Body  
### Overview  
The JNR EF71 class comprises 15 electric locomotives manufactured for Japan's national railway network. They are subclassed as electric locomotives and feature a distinctive Bo′Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement, enabling six powered axles for enhanced traction on steep gradients.  

### Manufacturing & Operators  
Produced by Toshiba, Mitsubishi Electric, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the class operated under Japanese National Railways during its initial service period. Following Japan's railway privatization, units transitioned to East Japan Railway Company. The shared production and operational history reflect Japan's industrial and regulatory shifts in the 20th century.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Wheel arrangement**: Bo′Bo′Bo′ (three bogies with two powered axles each)  
- **Track gauge**: 1067 mm (standard Japanese narrow gauge)  
- **Electrification system**: 20 kV, 50 Hz AC railway electrification  
- **Aliases**: Also known as EF71 or JR東日本EF71形電気機関車 in Japanese contexts  

### Documentation & Legacy  
The class is documented in three languages (Commons, Japanese, Chinese) on Wikimedia platforms, with a dedicated Wikidata entry. It is preserved in the public domain via Wikimedia Commons, including historical imagery like [this example](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/JNR_EF71-1.jpg). Its Google Knowledge Graph ID is `/g/12129xyx`.