506 EC40 and ED40 type Electric Locomotives in Imperial Government Railway of Japan : I. G. R. J. and their Meanings in the History of Mechanical Engineering and Technology
Details
EC40 and ED40 type electric locomotives were used in the Usui pass railway of Shinetsu line, I.G.R.J.. This railway was constructed by use of technology "Abt system railway" introduced from Hart mountain railway in Germany, and imported steam locomotives with this system from England and Germany were driven. As many troubles and accidents happened in transportation of this railway, so I.G.R.J. changed drive system from steam power to electric power in 1912. In this report, 1) A short history of early introduction of electric locomotives in Japan, 2) Outline of EC40 type electric locomotives imported from Germany and ED40 type electric ones domestically made, and 3) Their meanings from the history of technology are descrived.
