The JR Freight Class EF510 is an AC/DC electric locomotive introduced in 2002 (Heisei 14). Nicknamed “RED THUNDER,” it was deployed as a replacement for the EF81 locomotives operating on the Sea of Japan coastal line.
Beginning in 2010 (Heisei 22), the 500 subseries owned by East Japan Railway Company was assigned to Tabata Depot for use on the sleeper limited express services Hokutosei and Cassiopeia. A total of 15 locomotives were newly built: 13 in the blue “Hokutosei” livery, and two units (Nos. 509 and 510) in the silver “Cassiopeia” livery. These locomotives were active in hauling both sleeper trains.
After the regular services of Hokutosei ended in 2015 and Cassiopeia in 2016, all units were transferred to Japan Freight Railway Company and reassigned to the Toyama Depot. Today, they operate not only along the Sea of Japan corridor but also as far west as Okayama, and are active in freight services in the Chukyo region as well.
- Cassiopeia livery: Accurately reproduces the passenger EF510 in Cassiopeia colors, featuring a silver body with a five-color shooting star design on the sides.
- Beautifully rendered body markings and JR logos.
- Roof wiring made of metal for enhanced realism; high-voltage insulators are molded in green to replicate insulating grease.
- Accurately reproduces the metal single-arm FPS5 pantograph.
- Powered by a bogie-drive unit system and equipped with a coreless motor.
- Achieves a minimum running radius of 360 mm when operating as a single locomotive.
- Headlights and taillights offer versatile operating modes. The headlight (warm-white LED) illuminates when moving forward. The taillights feature three selectable modes via a train radio antenna–style switch:
- Train Mode: Taillights off when hauling a train
- Single-Locomotive Mode: Both rear taillights illuminated during solo operation
- Shunting Mode: One-side illumination at both ends for yard operations
- Minimizes user-installed parts. “Ready to Run” — enjoy operation straight out of the box.
- Further detailing such as handrails can be added using the separately sold “28-170N EF510 Upgrade Parts Set 1” (Hobby Center Kato).
- Body numbers and inspection markings are pre-printed.
- Compatible with quick headmark installation. Includes “Hokutosei” and “Cassiopeia” headmarks.
- Designed with space inside the body to accommodate a DCC decoder and sound speaker. Features see-through side air filters that combine realistic texture with effective sound projection.
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