The JGR Class 150 (originally JGR No. 1) is a 2-4-0T Porter-type side tank steam locomotive operated by the Japanese Government Railways from October 1872 to July 1930.
History[]
The Class 150 was one of the earliest steam locomotives operated in Japan. The type was ordered by the JGR as one of their earliest steam locomotives, with a single locomotive manufactured by the Vulcan Foundry; this was one of ten British-imported steam locomotives operating around that time. The locomotive was assigned the number 1; it was not assigned a class initially. The locomotive began operation on 14 October 1872 with the opening of Japan's first railway line; October 14 is celebrated as Railway Day in Japan even today to commemorate the line's opening. This locomotive is notable as it was the first steam locomotive to operate in Japan. The locomotive was subsequently reclassified as the Class E, then reclassified to Class A1.
After the Railway Nationalization Act was passed in 1909, the locomotive was renumbered the Class 150. The locomotive was then sold to the Shimabara Railway in 1911 and modified with parts from an old Kyushu Railway Krauss-Maffei-manufactured locomotive that was just scrapped. The locomotive was sold back to the JGR in 1930 in exchange for JGR Class 600 locomotive 656, with a retirement ceremony held for the locomotive on 3 July that year. A handwritten plaque was then attached to the locomotive by Shimabara Railway president Ueki Momotaro, reading "Feelings of Regret"; he allegedly wrote this to express gratitude for the locomotive due to its success on Japan's earliest railway line and regretted it having been retired. The plaque still remains today on the engine.
After retirement, the locomotive was stored at JGR's Ōmiya Works for a time before being acquired by the Transportation Museum in Tokyo and preserved there until its closure in 2006. The locomotive was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1997. The locomotive was subsequently moved to the Railway Museum in Saitama, where it remains to this day; it has since been restored to its appearance around 1890 or so.
Preservation[]
The following Class 150 locomotives have been preserved:
| Number | Manufacturer | Date manufactured | Serial number | Date withdrawn | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 | Vulcan Foundry | January 1871 | 614 | 25 May 1911 (JGR) 3 July 1930 (Shimabara) |
The Railway Museum, Saitama, Japan | Displayed indoors, Japan's first steam locomotive, restored to c. 1890 appearance; designated Important Cultural Property in 1997 |
Gallery[]
.jpg "JGR-150SL(original).jpg (124 KB)")
