new Meitetsu electric loco, replacement for ED79, etc?

[miyakoji]

In this thread, it's claimed that the photographed loco is a new Meitetsu DEKI. Another poster says it's a replacement for the ED79. I can't tell if this is a joke or not, nor can I tell if the photo is a 'shop. It doesn't seem to be one half of an EH800. This is at the test track of Toshiba's Fuchu factory.

 

http://rail-uploader.khz-net.com/index.php?id=35010

[katoftw]

It is very short for newer loco standards.  One pantograph and 4 axles.  Looks more like a small shunter to me.  But then the only 2 pics in exsistence aren't very good.  Maybe in the next few days photographers with better lenses will be out there.

Edited December 29, 2014 by katoftw

[Davo Dentetsu]

Looks very nice and interesting, whatever it may be.  :)

[HantuBlauLOL]

Shorty EH800? :P

 

Looks cute, seriously.

[kvp]

It's the high optical zoom that compresses the loco. If you look at the orange 103 car behind it, that looks short too. Imho this loco has roughly the same length as any common mainline bo-bo electric locomotive. Considering the power of a single 4 axle Taurus or Traxx, for most short freight trains a 4 axle electric locomotive is enough and it's cheaper to build and maintain than a 6 or 8 axle one.

[Davo Dentetsu]

I'm disappointed the model train companies are not all over this in the mere hours of it's known existence.  Pull your socks up Kato and Tomix!  :P

But seriously... make it now.  :D

[dabsan]

B-Train Shorty in real life lol :love10:

[Densha]

Nowadays searching on twitter really helps with these things. A quick search on "名鉄" (Meitetsu) landed me this: https://twitter.com/gugu_koyano/status/549138148354048001

So it is indeed a veeeery short Meitetsu loco. It seems to be half an EH800 with two cabs.

 

But what would happen if you'd make a B-Train Shorty out of this?

Edited December 29, 2014 by Densha

[HantuBlauLOL]

It's the high optical zoom that compresses the loco. If you look at the orange 103 car behind it, that looks short too. Imho this loco has roughly the same length as any common mainline bo-bo electric locomotive. Considering the power of a single 4 axle Taurus or Traxx, for most short freight trains a 4 axle electric locomotive is enough and it's cheaper to build and maintain than a 6 or 8 axle one.

It's the high optical zoom that compresses the loco. If you look at the orange 103 car behind it, that looks short too. Imho this loco has roughly the same length as any common mainline bo-bo electric locomotive. Considering the power of a single 4 axle Taurus or Traxx, for most short freight trains a 4 axle electric locomotive is enough and it's cheaper to build and maintain than a 6 or 8 axle one.

ED500 was cancelled because B-B configuration doesn't suit Japanese rails.

 

Btw why American GeePs isn't popular for hauling freight nowadays?

[miyakoji]

Nowadays searching on twitter really helps with these things. A quick search on "名鉄" (Meitetsu) landed me this: https://twitter.com/gugu_koyano/status/549138148354048001

So it is indeed a veeeery short Meitetsu loco. It seems to be half an EH800 with two cabs.

 

But what would happen if you'd make a B-Train Shorty out of this?

Good thought, I don't use twitter very often. I'm looking forward to its test runs. It's cool that Meitetsu still has need for locos.

[kvp]

ED500 was cancelled because B-B configuration doesn't suit Japanese rails.

 

Btw why American GeePs isn't popular for hauling freight nowadays?

The B-B configuration is great when the 4 axles provide enough traction. Heavier trains and higher grades need more tough, so you can either use a C-C or B-B-B configuration. The 3 axle bogies are not really useful with narrow gauge and tight curves, so the more track friendly B-B-B was choosen as the Japanese style 6 axle locomotive arrangement. If you go up to 8 axles, then the articulated B-B+B-B becomes the better choice over the US style D-D arrangement. Of course for even tighter curves, you have to option to articulate a B-B-B locomotive too, like some Swiss and Italian ones.

 

Imho the only problem with the ED500 was that there was no need for a high power 4 axle locomotive, since on hillier terrain, the more powered axles you have the better. On the other hand, as soon as you scale back the traction power requirements a bit, you end up with a 4 axle B-B locomotive, that is great for smaller/lighter freight and can negotiate tighter curves than an unarticulated B-B-B. In this case, half an EH800 had enough power and traction, so they got an 'ED400' which is just a modern ED60. I would not be suprised if the size and power of this locomotive would be similar to an ED60, which is a pretty small and nice locomotive.

 

For size comparison:

http://js3vxw.cocolog-nifty.com/photos/jnr_ed60_ed62/jnr_ed60_9.html

vs

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B57uOw3CAAAsy_N.jpg

[ozman2009]

A neat looking loco. Hopefully Rokuhan or PRM/Loco will make it in Z in the not too far distant future.

[katoftw]

It's the high optical zoom that compresses the loco. If you look at the orange 103 car behind it, that looks short too. Imho this loco has roughly the same length as any common mainline bo-bo electric locomotive. Considering the power of a single 4 axle Taurus or Traxx, for most short freight trains a 4 axle electric locomotive is enough and it's cheaper to build and maintain than a 6 or 8 axle one.

Doubtful of optical zoom compressing the picture.  That is not how zooms/lenses work.  But the programs on social media that save the files and make them almost square from a rectangle original file would've made it looked compressed.

 

bo-bos are short for Japanese standards in this modern era.  bo-bo-bo/EF or bigger is normal for todays mordern era.  But I guess the old bo-bos currently still in use cannot last forever.

 

When was the last bo-bo/ED loco in Japan get released?

[kvp]

 

When was the last bo-bo/ED loco in Japan get released?

Afaik the ED79-50 series in 1990 for JR Freight built by Toshiba. They are AC electrics built for Seikan tunnel freight service.

 

On the other hand, Toshiba is producing bo-bo hybrid diesel electrics since 2010 and they would also make fine electric shunters if they ever get a pantograph on their roof.

[katoftw]

a post

Edited December 30, 2014 by katoftw

[Guest ___]

ED500 was cancelled because B-B configuration doesn't suit Japanese rails.

 

Btw why American GeePs isn't popular for hauling freight nowadays?

 

Traction cohesion is too light for most American RR. Even most shortlines now are dropping B-B for C-C. Simply put C-C is more efficient use of the technology.

[Nick_Burman]

Traction cohesion is too light for most American RR. Even most shortlines now are dropping B-B for C-C. Simply put C-C is more efficient use of the technology.

 

Not only traction, but also train weights...American freight cars have increased enormously in capacity over the last 20 years or so, today we have 132 gross ton cars roaming US rails and in some cases 4-axle locos simply can't cope with them any more.

 

 

Cheers NB

[westfalen]

Meitetsu must have a bit of spare cash lying around then to buy what is essentially a custom made one off loco.

[miyakoji]

Here's some video.  Looks kind of cool.

 

[katoftw]

Footage is taking from same location as the earlier photos.  This is nice and clear which is good.

[miyakoji]

Yeah I think it's Kita-Fuchu Station: http://www.google.com/maps/@35.6804112,139.4712522,17z

[katoftw]

Yeah that is it.  Even the old little diesels and 103s/105s are in the google satilite photo to the west of the station.

[ToniBabelony]

Cool to see a new electric loco coming out, but it's a bit sad to see it painted red instead of the traditional blue and yellow from Meitetsu.

 

And yes, this loco looks to be a perfect job for Bandai or maybe even MicroAce.

[Densha]

And then there were two (or three, I'm not sure): https://www.flickr.com/photos/japanrail/16392886961/

[ozman2009]

Very nice loco. People into Z scale might have to wait a very long time, perhaps.