EF510 RED THUNDER electric locomotive, introduced in 2002, is an AC/DC electric locomotive nicknamed RED THUNDER. It was developed to replace the EF81 on the Sea of Japan main line. From 2010, JR East deployed the 500-series at Tabata Depot for the sleeper limited express trains Hokutosei and Cassiopeia: thirteen locomotives in Hokutosei blue and two (numbers 509 and 510) in Cassiopeia silver, a total of 15 newly built units. They hauled the Hokutosei and Cassiopeia sleeper services.
After the Hokutosei ended in 2015 and Cassiopeia’s regular operations ended the following year, all units were transferred to JR Freight’s Toyama Depot. They now work freight duties on the Sea of Japan main line and operate as far west as Okayama and in the Chukyo region.
Features and option parts
- Hokutosei livery: accurately reproduces the passenger EF510 Hokutosei paint with a blue body and gold shooting star motif on the sides.
- Detailed body lettering and JR marks are beautifully printed.
- Realistic roof wiring using metal wire; high-voltage insulators painted green with insulating grease application reproduced.
- Precisely reproduced metal single-arm FPS5 pantographs.
- Truck-mounted power unit with coreless motor for smooth operation.
- Achieves a minimum operating radius of 360 mm for single-unit running.
- Headlight and taillight feature multiple operating modes for varied operation:
- Headlight: warm white LED that lights when running forward.
- Taillight: selectable by a switch shaped like a train radio antenna with three modes:
- Running mode: lights off when hauling a train.
- Single-unit transfer mode: rear end left and right lights on during single-unit transfer.
- Shunting mode: at both ends, one-side lighting for shunting operations.
- User-installed parts are minimized so the model is READY TO RUN straight out of the box.
- Compatible with the separately sold 28-170N EF510 Grade-Up Parts Set 1 (Hobby Center Kato) for added detail such as handrails.
- Body number and inspection markings are preprinted. Hokutosei color: EF510-515.
- Quick headmark compatible. Hokutosei headmarks included.
- Designed with consideration for DCC sound decoders: space inside the body for a DCC decoder and sound-compatible speaker is provided. A see-through side air filter is fitted to balance realistic appearance and sound output.
This highly detailed EF510 model combines authentic paint schemes, metal roof details, advanced lighting modes, and DCC-ready provisions for collectors and model railroaders seeking an accurate RED THUNDER locomotive.
JPY 
Euros
British Pounds
Australia Dollars
US Dollars
Canada Dollars
Singapore Dollar
Malaysian Ringgit
Hong Kong Dollar
