Tōkaidō Line Electrification Complete

Japanese National Railways completed the 342-mile Tōkaidō Main Line electrification project on May 26, 1955. The upgrade replaced steam with 1,500-volt DC overhead catenary, allowing EF58 and later EF66 electric locomotives to haul the iconic Kodama and Tsubame expresses. Engineers overcame mountainous terrain and dense urban corridors by installing modern substations and CTC signaling. Travel time between Tokyo and Osaka dropped below seven hours, boosting postwar economic recovery and passenger volumes. The project laid essential groundwork for the 1964 Shinkansen, demonstrating Japan's commitment to high-speed rail technology and influencing electrification standards across Asia.