A total of 85 locomotives were built between 1967 and 1981, divided into the following sub-classes.[1]
Class DE15-0
Class DE15-1000
Class DE15-1500
Class DE15-2050
Class DE15-2500
Class DE15-2550
Design
The Class DE15 was developed from the Class DE10 locomotive design, with the addition of separate two-axle snowplough units at either end.[1] The snowplough units could be attached and detached relatively easily, allowing the locomotives to be used for shunting and other duties outside the winter periods, unlike the snowplough units on the earlier Class DD15 locomotives, which were mounted directly onto the locomotives and required a crane to be attached and detached.[1]
History
DE15-0
Six Class DE15-0 locomotives were built between 1967 and 1969 by Kisha and Nippon Sharyo.[2] The locomotives were based on the Class DE10-0 design and were equipped with a 1,250 hp (930 kW) engine and train-heating steam generator.[1][2] Locomotive DE15 3 had a snowplough unit designed for clearing single-track lines, while the other five locomotives were designed for clearing double-track lines.[2] Initially, the locomotives operated with only one snowplough unit, but locomotives DE15 1 to 3 and 6 were subsequently modified with snowplough units at both ends. DE15 3 was renumbered DE15 2053.[2]
As of 1 April 2016[update], no Class DE15-0 locomotives remain in service.[1]
DE15-1000
Six Class DE15-1000 locomotives were built between 1971 and 1973 by Nippon Sharyo using the DML61ZB engine uprated to 1,350 hp (1,010 kW).[2] Locomotive DE15 1002 had a snowplough unit designed for clearing single-track lines, while the other five locomotives were designed for clearing double-track lines.[2] Initially, the locomotives operated with only one snowplough unit, but locomotives DE15 1002, 1004, and 1006 were subsequently modified with snowplough units at both ends. DE15 1002 was renumbered DE15 2052.[2]
Type for clearing double-track lines, fitted with 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) engine and train-heating steam generator.[1]
As of 1 April 2016[update], no Class DE15-1000 locomotives remain in service.[1]
DE15-1500
18 Class DE15-1500 locomotives were initially built, initially with a snowplough unit at only one end.[2] Locomotives DE15 1501 to 1504, 1507, 1509 to 1512, 1514 to 1516, and 1518 were designed for clearing double-track lines, while the others were designed for single-track lines.[2] Like the DE15-1000, these locomotives were equipped with a 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) engine, but had no train-heating steam generator.[1]
From 1976, a further batch of locomotives was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Nippon Sharyo with snowplough units at both ends and designed for clearing double-track lines.[2]
As of 1 April 2016[update], 15 Class DE15-1500 locomotives remain in service, operated by JR Hokkaido (nine locomotives), JR East (two locomotive), and JR West (four locomotive).[1]
JR Hokkaido DE15 1501 hauling a Marimo service
JR Hokkaido DE15 1543 in January 2009 with snowplough units attached
JR Hokkaido DE15 1525 in September 2010 with its snowplough units removed
DE15-2050
This subclass consisted of two locomotives for clearing single-track lines.[2] DE15 2052 was converted from DE15 1002 and was fitted with a 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) engine, while DE15 2053 was converted from DE15 3 and was fitted with a 1,250 hp (930 kW) engine.[2]
As of 1 April 2016[update], one Class DE15-2050 locomotive remains in service, DE15 2052, operated by JR West.[1]
JR West DE15 2052 in January 2006
DE15-2500
This subclass was built between 1976 and 1979 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Nippon Sharyo with snowplough units at both ends and designed for clearing single-track lines.[2] The locomotives were equipped with a 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) engine and no train-heating steam generator.[1]
As of 1 April 2016[update], eight Class DE15-2500 locomotives remain in service, operated by JR Hokkaido (five locomotives) and JR West (three locomotives).[1]
JR West DE15 2525 in July 2010
DE15-2550
Five Class DE15-2500 locomotives were formed by modifying Class DE15-1500 locomotives with the addition of a second snowplough unit at the other end.[2] These were designed for clearing single-track lines.[2]
Original number
Modified number
DE15 1505
DE15 2555
DE15 1506
DE15 2556
DE15 1508
DE15 2558
DE15 1513
DE15 2563
DE15 1517
DE15 2567
As of 1 April 2016[update], one Class DE15-2550 locomotive remains in service, DE15 2558, operated by JR West.[1]
Livery variations
DE15 1534: Repainted into a light-green livery for used on JR Hokkaido Furano-Biei Norokko excursion services[3]
DE15 1535: Repainted into a multi color livery for used on JR Hokkaido Furano-Biei Norokko excursion services
DE15 2508: Repainted into a white livery for use on JR Hokkaido Norokko excursion train services during summer months[2]
DE15 2510: Repainted into a red and black livery for use as a helper locomotive on JR Hokkaido steam-hauled SL Nemuro services since 2001[3]
DE15 2516: Repainted into a light green livery for use on JR Hokkaido Furano-Biei Norokko excursion services[4]
DE15 2558: Repainted into a blue and white livery for use on JR West excursion train services on the Kisuki Line[3]
JR Hokkaido DE15 1534 in August 2008
JR Hokkaido DE15 1535 in August 2019
JR Hokkaido DE15 2510 in January 2010
JR Hokkaido DE15 2516 in a yellow livery used as the works shunter at Naebo Works in October 2007
JR Hokkaido DE15 2527 in Norokko green livery in August 2012
JR West DE15 2558 in August 2001
Conversion to DE10-3000/3500
DE10 3001 in September 2015DE10 3510 in April 2013
In 2009, fourteen surplus JR East Class DE15 locomotives were sold to JR Freight for use on freight services, and these were rebuilt and renumbered as Class DE10-3000 and DE10-3500. The conversion histories and former identities of this sub-class are as follows.[5]
By 1 April 1995, 71 locomotives were still in service.[2]
As of 1 April 2016[update], 25 locomotives remain in service, operated by JR Hokkaido (9× DE15 1500 and 5× DE15 2500), JR East (2× DE15 1500), JR West (4× DE15 1500, 1× DE15 2050, 3× DE15 2500, 1× DE15 2550).[1]
^ abcdefghijklmnMiyahara, Masakazu, ed. (December 2016). 国鉄最終章LAST (鉄道ジャーナル2017年2月号別冊) [JNR - The Final Chapter (Railway Journal February 2017 Extra issue)]. Tetsudō Jānaru (in Japanese). Japan: Railway Journal: 39–41. ASINB01N59AJPB. ISSN0288-2337.
^ abcdefghijklmnopq JR全車輛ハンドブック1995 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 1995] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 1995. p. 69–72, 582–583.
^ abcJēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. p. 65. ISBN978-4-7770-0836-0.
^Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail magazine 2001 JR全車輛ハンドブック2001 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2001] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 2001. p. 70. ISBN978-4-87366-723-2.
^Shibata (July 2015). JR会社間の譲渡車両 [Rolling stock transferred between JR companies]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 55, no. 651. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. p. 128.
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