JGR Class 1500

JGR Class 1500
Technical specifications
Serial number(s)	1080 – 1083
Manufacturer(s)	Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works
Build date	1898 – 1899
Total produced	4 + 1 derivative (total 5)
Classification	0-6-0T
Dimensions	8,520 mm × 2,362 mm × 3,516 mm
Rail gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Valve gear	Walschaerts
Cylinders	2
Boiler pressure	12.0 kg/cm²
Fuel type	Coal
Heating area	81.8 m²
Service information
Years in-service	1898 – June 1921
Running numbers	1500 – 1503 (originally 186 – 189)
Disposition details
Preserved	None
Number scrapped	5

The JGR Class 1500 (originally the Kyushu Railway Class 186) was a 0-6-0T Switcher-type side tank steam locomotives operated by the Japanese Government Railways from 1898 to June 1921.

History

The Class 1500 was an early steam locomotive operated in Japan. The type was ordered by the Kyushu Railway, with three locomotives built by the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works and delivered to the railroad in 1898. A fourth locomotive was built in 1899. The locomotives were classified as the Class 186 locomotives and numbered 186 through 189. A similar locomotive was built for the Karasu Railway, numbered 5 and introduced in 1898 as well. The Karasu Railway was then absorbed by the Kyushu Railway and the sole locomotive became the Class 190 and renumbered as such. The locomotives were said to be largely equivalent to that of the Class 1800 locomotives and were extremely powerful, but had poor axle load.

When the Kyushu Railway was nationalized in 1909, the Class 186 locomotives were reclassified as the Class 1500 and renumbered 1500 through 1503; the Class 190 locomotive was not subject to reclassification as it had been sold in 1902 to the Yahata Steel Works prior to the reclassification. The JGR retired the Class 1500s in June 1921. 190, after being sold to the steel works, was renumbered 11, then 205; it was used until 1963, but apparently had so many of its parts replaced it did not resemble how it originally looked.

No Class 1500s have been preserved. No photos are known to exist.