EF81-80とED75-759が秋田へ回送 ― 国鉄型電気機関車の終焉を見届けて/EF81-80 and ED75-759 Transferred to Akita — Witnessing the End of JNR-Type Electric Locomotives

EF81-80ED75-759が秋田へ回送国鉄型電気機関車の終焉を見届けて

2025911日から12日にかけて、JR東日本の電気機関車EF81-80ED75-759が秋田総合車両センター本所(AT)へ廃車回送されました。牽引を担当したのは尾久車両センター所属のEF81-80ED75-759は仙台車両センター所属で、輸送票には「廃車」と明記されており、ED75形の形式消滅と仙台配置の機関車ゼロ化を意味する歴史的な出来事となりました。

回送の概要と経路

  • 911日:配9726レ(仙台発田端信号所)
    仙台車両センターを出発したEF81-80ED75-759を牽引し、東北本線を南下。首都圏エリアは深夜未明の通過となり、限られたファンが沿線で記録を残しました。
  • 912日:配9823レ(田端信号所秋田総合車両センター着)
    田端信号所を出発後、常磐線・武蔵野線経由で北上。羽前大山駅での小休憩を挟み、羽越本線では朝陽に照らされた赤い車体が「最後の輝き」として称賛されました。土崎駅到着時には、ED75形の本線上運用が完全に終了する瞬間となりました。

車両の状態と背景

EF81-80は自力走行で牽引を担当。ED75-759は無動力(ムド)状態での回送でした。両車両とも長年にわたり東北地域の貨物・旅客輸送を支えてきましたが、老朽化と運用縮小により廃車が決定。EF81-808月にEF81-81とともに尾久から仙台へ無動力回送されており、今回の回送が最後の力走となりました。

ED75形はこの回送をもって形式消滅。仙台車両センターの機関車配置もゼロとなり、東北本線での国鉄型電気機関車の時代が完全に幕を閉じました。EF81-80も北斗星色最後の1両として親しまれていましたが、輸送票に廃車明記があり、尾久の「流れ星」シリーズの終焉を象徴しています。

ファンの反応と記録

SNSでは「さようなら」「お疲れ様」「最後の輝きあれ」などのハッシュタグが飛び交い、雨の田端、朝陽の羽越本線、晴天の土崎など、感動的なシーンが多数共有されました。同時期にEF65 1115の廃車回送も重なり、機関車ファン全体に喪失感が広がりました。

EF81形の残存状況(2025914日時点)

EF81形も急速に廃車が進んでおり、尾久車両センター所属の8081号機が回送されたことで、残存は極めて限定的です。以下に、工場入場・廃車回送が未確認の車両を中心にまとめます。

JR東日本 新潟車両センター所属(事業用中心)

  • EF81 134:臨時運用での目撃例あり。
  • EF81 140:稼働率低め。保管中の可能性。

これらの車両は近いうちに廃車に。

JR貨物 門司機関区所属(予備・事業用)

  • EF81 4077両:門司配置として保管中とされるが定期運用は消滅。

展望と意義

EF81形は交直流両用の万能機として、寝台特急「北斗星」「カシオペア」などで活躍してきました。EH500形への置き換えにより引退が加速し、現在残る車両は新潟・門司に限られています。これらの車両が「最後の灯火」として注目されており、今後の動向がファンの間で注視されています。

EF81-80ED75-759の回送は、単なる廃車ではなく、国鉄型電気機関車の歴史に一区切りをつける象徴的な出来事でした。長年の活躍に感謝を込めて、静かにその幕を閉じた姿は、多くの鉄道ファンの記憶に刻まれ続けることでしょう。

 

EF81-80 and ED75-759 Transferred to Akita — Witnessing the End of JNR-Type Electric Locomotives

From September 11 to 12, 2025, JR East electric locomotives EF81-80 and ED75-759 were sent to the Akita General Rolling Stock Center (AT) for scrapping. The towing duty was handled by EF81-80 from the Oku Rolling Stock Center. ED75-759, belonging to the Sendai Rolling Stock Center, had “scrapped” clearly marked on its transport ticket, signifying not only the end of the ED75 series but also the elimination of all locomotives assigned to Sendai—a historic event.

Outline and Route of the Transfer

September 11: Service 9726 (Departed Sendai → Tabata Signal Station)

EF81-80 departed the Sendai Rolling Stock Center towing ED75-759, traveling south along the Tohoku Main Line. The metropolitan area was passed through late at night, with only a handful of fans documenting the event along the tracks.

September 12: Service 9823 (Tabata Signal Station → Akita General Rolling Stock Center)

After leaving Tabata Signal Station, the train headed north via the Joban and Musashino Lines. A brief stop was made at Uzen-Oyama Station, and on the Uetsu Main Line, the red body of the locomotive bathed in morning sunlight was praised as its “final brilliance.” Upon arrival at Tsuchizaki Station, it marked the complete end of ED75’s main line operation.

Condition and Background of the Vehicles

EF81-80 handled the transfer under its own power, while ED75-759 was moved in a non-powered (mu-dō) state. Both vehicles had long supported freight and passenger transport in the Tohoku region, but due to aging and downsizing, their retirement was decided. In August, EF81-80 had already been transferred in non-powered mode from Oku to Sendai together with EF81-81, making this run its final effort.

With this transfer, the ED75 series has officially disappeared, and the Sendai Rolling Stock Center no longer has any locomotives assigned, marking the complete end of the JNR-type electric locomotive era on the Tohoku Main Line. EF81-80, fondly known as the last “Hokutosei” colored unit, also had “scrapped” noted on its transport ticket, symbolizing the end of Oku’s “shooting star” series.

Fan Reactions and Documentation

On social media, hashtags like “farewell,” “thank you for your service,” and “shine for the last time” were widely shared, with many touching scenes posted—rainy Tabata, sunrise on the Uetsu Main Line, and clear skies at Tsuchizaki. Around the same time, EF65 1115 was also transferred for scrapping, spreading a sense of loss among locomotive enthusiasts.

Status of Remaining EF81 Units (As of September 14, 2025)

EF81 units are rapidly being retired, and with the transfer of units 80 and 81 from the Oku Rolling Stock Center, only a limited number remain. Below is a summary, focusing on vehicles not yet confirmed as transferred or scrapped.

l   JR East Niigata Rolling Stock Center (mainly for utility use)

l   EF81 134: Sighted in temporary service.

l   EF81 140: Low operating rate; possibly in storage.

These vehicles are also expected to be scrapped soon.

JR Freight Moji Depot (reserve/utility use)

EF81 407 and six others: Presumed in storage at Moji, but regular service has ended.

Outlook and Significance

The EF81 series, renowned as versatile AC/DC locomotives, played active roles on sleeper express services like “Hokutosei” and “Cassiopeia.” Replacements by the EH500 series have accelerated their retirement, and now only units in Niigata and Moji remain. These surviving units are regarded as the “last lights,” with fans closely watching their future.

The transfer of EF81-80 and ED75-759 was more than just a scrapping—it symbolized the end of an era in JNR-type electric locomotive history. With gratitude for their many years of service, their quiet departure will remain etched in the memories of many railway fans.

 


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