fall inside a hole

EF-58 (1979)

First written November 3, 2023

172 EF-58 electric locomotives were built between 1946 and 1958. Most EF-58s were built to pull passenger trains in the 1950s and continued to service important passenger lines through the 1970s. The Plarail EF-58 is produced in the blue and cream color scheme that EF-58s began being painted in in 1965.

EL-01 EF-58 (1979)

The first EF58 was released individually in fifth generation packaging in 1979. The engine has two stickers on the front and rear that add the cream bonnet color and lights. Like other Plarail models of the era, the use of stickers is nicely thought out and matches well with the molded detailing. The engine also has separately fitted pantographs like many other Plarail trains.

My EF-58 is a later old power EF58 from some time in the late-mid 1980s and has a straight power switch as opposed to the bent style used in the 70s and early 80s. The front wheels have the revised clip-in support system. The rim-drive tires have been covered with a layer of heat-shrink tubing as described here to help restore traction.

I do have another older EF-58 manufactured by Tomy in orange with a lighter grey chassis for the German Stelco Junior Express sets circa 1979. This EF-58 has a darker printing of the same sticker with original blue background color on the sides that do not match the now-orange body shell. The front wheels are affixed using the older more fragile "stilt" axle holders and the front power switch is bent upwards. The Tomy logo and made in Japan text are identical between the two engines. Presumably, earlier 1980s Japanese EF-58 moldings were similar.

Later old power EF58s use the plastic rim-drive gearbox. In 1987 the EF-58 was revised to use the new power gearbox and was rereleased individually in sixth generation packaging. The new power EF-58 was retired from the range in 1996. EF-58 number 61 in original brown paint scheme was released as K-04 EF58 Type No. 61 in 2003 which was later discontinued in 2011.