| A treat to see, this EF 81 class loco pulls a Overnight 'Blue Train' through Omiya Station. The shooting star on #80's flank indicates she was in 'Hokutosei' [Northern Star Express] service before being supplanted by a newer EH 500 type. Therefore it is appropiate that she heads up this blue train set. The EF 81 class is a further evolution of the EF64 and 65 series, notably without a nose door. They were built between 1968 and 79 by Hitachi and Mitsubishi. Thier main feature is dual volt capability, operating both at 1,500VDC or 20KVAC. They produce the same 3,420hp as the EF64-5 on DC and slightly less [3,180hp.] on AC. Soundwise, they are akin to an 'engineless' SD unit's Dynamic brakes in action. |