Our modern world relies on complex, ultimately global logistics—a jigsaw puzzle of all kinds of transportation systems. But there is one mode of transport that stands out for its unrivaled ability to deliver larger volumes of all kinds of goods and merchandise over long distance at low cost. The train.
Even as advances are made in other areas of logistics—from drones to electric trucks—rail freight still has a central role to play. Long-distance transportation on far-reaching networks realizes cost effectiveness that is hard to beat, and in recent years the advantages of rail freight in reducing environmental burdens has become even clearer. That's why many governments are promoting modernization of rail fleets and promoting a modal shift to train transportation; and why Toshiba is ready to help.
Toshiba manufactured it first electric locomotive in 1926, when the company was still known as Shibaura Engineering Works Co., Ltd. Today its locomotives can be found all over Japan and overseas, including China, India, Turkey, New Zealand, and South Africa. It's long been the company's main focus in transportation infrastructure.
We spoke to Akira Miyazaki, Toshiba's "Mr. Locomotive" and Masahiro Yamada, a leader in the design of next-generation locomotives, about the kind of growth electric locomotives have seen in the past, present, and future, starting from Japan and out into the world.
Electric locomotives are pretty complex. They integrate control systems, converters, drive systems, brakes and circuitry, and all related mechanical systems. Since entering the business in the early 1920s, Toshiba has cultivated capabilities that allow it to handle all aspects of design and development itself, to both Japanese and overseas specs. As Yamada observes, building an electric locomotive from scratch requires a deep knowledge base, and a lot of experience.
"Here at the Fuchu Complex, we've built many electric locomotives," he explains. "Since I joined the company, locomotives I've worked on include the Type HD300 hybrid and Type EH800. Have you heard of 'ECO-POWER Kintaro'? That's a Type EH500 that can run on different power supplies, AC and DC, and it was designed to be able to run all the way from Tokyo to Hokkaido, without the train having to switch locomotives. The most recent locomotive I worked on was the Type EL120 we delivered to the Meitetsu Group in Nagoya.
Miyazaki also has memories to share. "Since I joined the company, my work has been in rolling stock systems and transportation systems, for trains like the Shinkansen. A lot of the electric locomotives we design and manufacture are for overseas. The most memorable for me was the Class 10E locomotive we delivered to South Africa, which we had to build to be powerful and durable—but then, we've built a lot of locomotives like that.
The Type HD300 electric locomotive that Yamada worked on is a real milestone, Japan's first diesel hybrid with a drive system powered by a lithium-ion battery. Designed for shunting, putting together and taking apart trains in freight depots, it has to be powerful—but it's also a lot more.
"The hybrid locomotive is the eco-friendly locomotive of modern times," explains Yamada. "It helps to reduce CO2 emissions, and does this particularly well during the shunting process. Think about it in terms of cars, and it's probably easier to understand. Hybrid cars exhibit their strengths of low noise and reduced CO2 emissions not when you're speeding on the freeway, but when you're driving in the city, stopping and starting frequently." The hybrid locomotive is powered by a diesel engine, which is also the generator, and a storage battery, and is Japan's first hybrid locomotive with a lithium-ion battery.
It's not just eco-friendliness they're after. Toshiba developed the Type EH800 locomotive with Japan Freight Railway Company, when lines running through the Seikan Tunnel connecting Honshu and Hokkaido were modernized to take Shinkansen. The EH800 is the only electric locomotive that can run on the shared route. It is also an 8-axle locomotive, equipped with eight motors, and Toshiba is the only builder of such powerful locos for the Japanese market.
But what about the electric locomotives built for overseas markets? According to Miyazaki, foreign clients will often focus not only on the power of the train, but also on the distinctly "Japanese" characteristics of the locomotives.
As interest in eco-friendly measures rises, and demand with it, there has been a growing focus overseas on hybrid locomotives, which supply both power and high capacity utilization. Toshiba's has a wealth of knowledge in this area from delivering hybrid locomotives to companies in Japan, and that is sure to be a great asset as this trend develops. There are, of course, still challenges to be faced along the way.
Toshiba's work doesn't stop at next-generation motors.
It takes determination and confidence to change with the times—and not just to foresee new trends and technologies but to lead the way, channeling experience, knowledge and know-how into new products. Fuchu Complex is bringing new technologies and innovations to the electric locomotive, and woven into every design is the pride, deep understanding and capabilities of its people.