JGR Class 8000

JGR Class 8000
Kyushu Railway 99 (later JGR 8000) at an unknown date
Technical specifications
Serial number(s)	12939, 12947, 12952, 13971, 14033, 14392 – 14393
Manufacturer(s)	Baldwin Locomotive Works
Build date	1892, 1894 – 1895
Total produced	7
Classification	2-6-0
Dimensions	14,402 mm × 2,381 mm × 3,594 mm
Rail gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Valve gear	Stephenson
Cylinders	2
Boiler pressure	9.8 kg/cm²
Fuel type	Coal
Heating area	106.6 m²
Service information
Years in-service	1892 – 1923
Running numbers	8000 – 8006 (originally 7 – 9, 15 – 16, 29 – 30, then 77 – 79, 85 – 86, 99 – 100)
Disposition details
Preserved	None
Number scrapped	7

The JGR Class 8000 (originally the Kyushu Railway Class 77 and 99) and the related Class 8050 (originally the Kyushu Railway Class 79) were 2-6-0 Mogul-type steam locomotives operated by the Japanese Government Railways from 1892 to 1923.

History

The Class 8000 was an early steam locomotive operated in Japan. The type was ordered by the Chikuhō Railway, with a total of seven locomotives manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works from 1892 through 1895; three were manufactured in 1892, two in 1894 and two in 1895. These were numbered 7 through 9, 15 and 16 and 29 and 30; 9 was notable as it was a Vauclain compound steam locomotive. When the Chikuhō Railway was acquired by the Kyushu Railway, the locomotives were divided into three classes: 7 and 8 were reclassified as the Class 77 and renumbered 77 and 78, 9 was reclassified the Class 79 and renumbered as such while 29 and 30 were reclassified as the Class 99 and renumbered 99 and 100.

The locomotives were reclassified as the Class 8000 in 1909 when a formal rule regarding standardized classification of locomotives was enacted; the locomotives were thus renumbered 8000 through 8005. The Vauclain compound locomotive was reclassified as the Class 8050 and renumbered as such, but was rebuilt at the Kyushu Railway's Kokura Works (currently JR Kyushu's Kokura Works) in 1915 to remove the compound cylinders; it was subsequently assimilated into the Class 8000s and renumbered 8006. The locomotives were used in Kitakyushu throughout its service life. The locomotives were all retired by 1923, with none sold to private railroads. No Class 8000s have been preserved.

Trivia

• Baldwin's model number for the Class 8000 and 8050 were 8-28-D and 8-16/30D respectively.