KATO 3087-1 ED71 1st

The ED71 was a pioneering AC electric locomotive that supported passenger and freight services on the Tōhoku Main Line for over two decades. Introduced in 1959, it laid the foundation for later AC locomotive designs such as the ED75. With the introduction of the more powerful ED75 in 1965, ED71s were gradually reassigned from faster services. In their later years, some locomotives received dual sealed-beam headlights, and the class remained in service until final withdrawal in 1982.