JNR Class EF64 - Life-extension Refurbishment

Life-extension Refurbishment

From 1996, the EF64-0s underwent a life-extension refurbishment programme, with EF64 67 the first locomotive treated. Refurbishment was carried out at Ōmiya and Hiroshima Works, with locos initially released in the JR Freight livery of two-tone blue and light grey. Minor livery variations were implemented during the programme, and locos treated at Hiroshima were distinguished by having mustard-coloured cab gangway doors.

From 2004 onward, the JR Freight livery was simplified by using a single shade of dark blue and light grey. The first EF64-1000, EF64 1015, also underwent refurbishment in 2003, appearing in the then-standard JR Freight two-tone blue and light grey livery. However, following complaints from staff about the difficulties in visually distinguishing the loco from refurbished EF65s, a new livery was devised and applied to the next loco to be refurbished, EF64 1009, consisting of standard blue with broad white diagonal bands and large red "JRF" bodyside logos (see front cover photo of Bullet-In 52). The first Okayama-based EF64-1000, EF64 1047 was refurbished in July 2006 at Hiroshima Works, and this was released in a further simplified livery of all-over blue with white bodyside stripe and light grey lower cab front.

• Refurbished EF64 1024 at Hachiōji, May 2006

• Okayama-based EF64 1046 in the refurbished livery applied to locos overhauled at Hiroshima Works, February 2008