The JGR Class 8700 is a 4-6-0 Ten-Wheeler-type steam locomotive operated by the Japanese Government Railways from 1911 to 1951.
History[]
The Class 8700 was a fast passenger locomotive used by the JGR. The type was ordered by the JGR in 1911, with a total of twelve locomotives manufactured by the North British Locomotive Company and imported into Japan. These locomotives were numbered 8700 through 8711. The locomotive competed alongside the Class 8800, 8850 and 8900 locomotives; it featured slightly worse performance than the other locomotives but was highly reliable and was regarded as the most reliable of the locomotives tested.
In 1912, a year after the first Class 8700s arrived, domestic manufacturer Kisha Seizō decided to produce eighteen copies of the North British locomotives; these were delivered the same year and continued the numbering, being numbered 8712 through 8729. The locomotives were used for fast passenger trains and even hauled the royal train at one point. Retirement of the locomotives began in 1948 with all locomotives retired by 1950; some locomotives were then resold to private railroads, such as the Yūbetsu Raiilway and used until the 1960s.
One locomotive, 8722, survives today. It is located at the headquarters of Kushiro Seisakusho in Kushiro, Hokkaido.
Preservation[]
The following Class 8700 locomotives have been preserved:
| Number | Manufacturer | Date manufactured | Serial number | Date withdrawn | Last location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8722 | Kisha Seizō | 27 September 1913 | 103 | 29 October 1949 (JNR) 23 August 1966 (Yūbetsu) |
Kushiro Seisakusho, Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan | Displayed under shelter; ex-Yūbetsu Railway |