Built in 1969 by
Mitsubishi to haul 1,000-tonne cement trains, the design was based on the
JNR Class EF65 and used
bogies similar to those used on the
JNR Class EF81 locomotives.
From 30 November 1990, the discontinuation of freight services to
Sayamagaoka eliminated the need for
double-heading, and the end of all Seibu freight services from 7 March 1996 saw the E851s become surplus to requirements.[1] Final farewell Sayonara runs were organized in May 1996 hauling JR 12-series passengers coaches from
Tokorozawa to
Yokoze.[1]
"西武鉄道 電気機関車小史2" (Short History of Seibu Electric Locomotives) by Fumio Gotō in January 2009 issue of Japan Railfan Magazine, p. 138-143
^
ab 日本と世界の鉄道カタログ'97~'98 [Japan and World Railway Catalogue 1997-1998] (in Japanese). Japan: Seibido Publishing. 17 August 1997. p. 139.
ISBN978-4-415-09254-6.