Imperial Government Railways 2-4-0 Locomotives in Japan


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 1/E/A1/150 (Locobase 11026)

Data from [link] and the Japanese-language blogging site [link] . also A Profile of Japanese Steam Locomotives website put up in 2007 by "Toki S." at [link], last accessed 26 September 2015. Vulcan works number was 614.

Served on main railway until 1911,when it went to Shimabara Railway. It was returned to the JGR in April 1936.


Class 110 (Locobase 3036)

Data from Ahrons (1927); and ; and "JGR Class 110", Steam Locomotives, Locomotive Wiki at [link], last accessed 20 January 202

Ahrons noted this class, small as its dimensions were, bulked larger than the first Vulcan Foundry engine supplied in 1871.

Robert Stephenson and Dubs & Company filled this order in 1873-1874 to run over the Osaka-Kobe section of the new railway.


Class 6/C/A3/ (Locobase 11039)

Data from [link] and the Japanese-language blogging site [link] and [link]. See also A Profile of Japanese Steam Locomotives website put up in 2007 by "Toki S." at [link], last accessed 26 September 2015. Works numbers were 436-437 in 1871.

Train loading was 87 tons up a 1% at 20 mph.

Transferred to Taiwan in 1900. Out of service in 1926. Preserved in Taipei's Peace Park.


Class A/A2/110 (Locobase 11028)

Data from [link] and the Japanese-language blogging site [link] . Works number was 184 in 1871.

The train loadings were 78 tons on a 1% grade at 20 miles an hour.


Class B/A6/160 (Locobase 11034)

Data from [link] and the Japanese-language blogging site [link] and [link]. Works numbers were 2102-2105 in 1871.

Train loading was 87 tons up a 1% at 20 mph. Two more with a slightly bigger boiler arrived 4 years later; see Locobase 11035


Class B/A7/160 (Locobase 11035)

Data from [link] and the Japanese-language blogging site [link] and [link]

This pair was built with slightly bigger boilers than the four supplied by Sharp, Stewart in 1871. Locomotive weight came in slightly lower, in part because of a more even distribution of weight among the three axles. Train loading was 87 tons up a 1% at 20 mph.


Class D/A1/A5/190 (Locobase 11031)

Data from [link] and the Japanese-language blogging site [link] and [link]. Works numbers were 436-437 in 1871.

#9 was rebuilt in 1895 by Shinbashi and reclassified AI, but the dimensions given are identical to the original locomotive.


Class F, G/A4/120, 130 (Locobase 11029)

Data from [link] and the Japanese-language blogging site [link] . Robert Stephenson & Company works numbers were 2103-2106 in 1874. Sharp, Stewart works numbers were 2480-2483 in 1875,

In the diagram cited by white.ap.teacup,train loading were 78 tons on a 1% grade at 20 miles an hour. (32 kph).

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class1/E/A1/1501106/C/A3/A/A2/110B/A6/160
Locobase ID11026 3036 11039 11028 11034
RailroadImperial Government Railways (JGR)Imperial Government Railways (JGR)Imperial Government Railways (JGR)Imperial Government Railways (JGR)Imperial Government Railways (JGR)
CountryJapanJapanJapanJapanJapan
Whyte2-4-0T2-4-0T2-4-0T2-4-0T2-4-0T
Number in Class11214
Road Numbers1/1506-7/5, 72/11017, 19, 15, 13/163-160
Gauge3'6"3'6"3'6"3'6"3'6"
Number Built11214
BuilderVulcan FoundryseveralAvonsideYorkshire EngineSharp, Stewart
Year18711873187118711871
Valve GearStephensonStephensonStephensonStephensonStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)7 / 2.137 / 2.13 7.50 / 2.29 5.67 / 1.73 6.54 / 1.99
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)12.42 / 3.7912.50 / 3.8112.50 / 3.8111.50 / 3.5112.25 / 3.73
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.56 0.56 0.60 0.49 0.53
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)12.42 / 3.7912.50 / 3.8111.50 / 3.5112.25 / 3.73
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)21,952 / 995718,704 / 848419,152 / 8687
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)38,752 / 17,57841,400 / 18,77940,768 / 18,49234,160 / 15,49538,304 / 17,374
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)51,688 / 23,44541,400 / 18,77954,208 / 24,58849,168 / 22,30247,824 / 21,693
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)51,688 / 23,44541,400 / 18,77954,208 / 24,58849,168 / 22,30247,824 / 21,693
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)539 / 2.04450 / 1.70720 / 2.73540 / 2.05600 / 2.27
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) 2.20 / 2 0.80 / 1 0.80 / 1 0.80 / 1
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)32 / 1635 / 17.5034 / 1728 / 1432 / 16
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)51 / 129551 / 129548 / 121948 / 121951 / 1295
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)140 / 970120 / 830120 / 830110 / 760120 / 830
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)12" x 18" / 305x45712" x 18" / 305x45712" x 18" / 305x45711.5" x 17" / 292x43212" x 17" / 305x432
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)6048 / 2743.335184 / 2351.435508 / 2498.394379 / 1986.284896 / 2220.79
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 6.41 7.99 7.40 7.80 7.82
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)57.20 / 5.32
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)9 / 0.84 9.30 / 0.8615 / 1.39 7.50 / 0.70
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)562 / 52.23565 / 52.51531 / 49.35991 / 92.10531 / 49.35
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)562 / 52.23565 / 52.51531 / 49.35991 / 92.10531 / 49.35
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume238.52239.79225.36484.90238.62
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation108011161650900
Same as above plus superheater percentage108011161650900
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area6864
Power L13684
Power MT392.36

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
ClassB/A7/160D/A1/A5/190F, G/A4/120, 130
Locobase ID11035 11031 11029
RailroadImperial Government Railways (JGR)Imperial Government Railways (JGR)Imperial Government Railways (JGR)
CountryJapanJapanJapan
Whyte2-4-0T2-4-0T2-4-0T
Number in Class228
Road Numbers21, 23/164-1659, 11/190-19113-16, 24-27, 34, 36, 38, 40/120-123, 130-131
Gauge3'6"3'6"3'6"
Number Built228
BuilderSharp, StewartDubs & Coseveral
Year187518711874
Valve GearStephensonStephensonStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 6.50 / 1.986 / 1.83 6.50 / 1.98
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)12.25 / 3.7312.58 / 3.8312 / 3.66
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.53 0.48 0.54
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)12.25 / 3.7312.58 / 3.8312 / 3.66
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)16,800 / 762023,586 / 10,69817,920 / 8128
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)33,600 / 15,24147,600 / 21,59139,200 / 17,781
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)47,040 / 21,33762,720 / 28,44951,520 / 23,369
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)47,040 / 21,33762,720 / 28,44951,520 / 23,369
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)540 / 2.05744 / 2.82600 / 2.27
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) 0.80 / 1 1.10 / 1 1.10 / 1
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)28 / 1440 / 2033 / 16.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)51 / 129554 / 137251 / 1295
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)120 / 830140 / 970120 / 830
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)12" x 17" / 305x43212" x 18" / 305x45713" x 20" / 330x508
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)4896 / 2220.795712 / 2590.926760 / 3066.29
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 6.86 8.33 5.80
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)
Grate Area (sq ft / m2) 7.50 / 0.7010 / 0.9310 / 0.93
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)551 / 51.21531594 / 55.20
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)551 / 51.21531594 / 55.20
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume247.61225.36193.33
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation90014001200
Same as above plus superheater percentage90014001200
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area
Power L1
Power MT

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