JGR Class A 4

JGR Class A 4
7 Wakataka in November 2019
Technical specifications
Serial number(s)	9752
Manufacturer(s)	Orenstein & Koppel
Build date	1921, 1923
Total produced	1 + 2 derivative (total 3)
Classification	0-4-0T
Dimensions	5,920 mm × Unknown × 3,050 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	19.3 m²
Service information
Years in-service	1921 – 1936
Running numbers	7
Disposition details
Preserved	1
Number operational	None
Number scrapped	2

The JGR Class A 4 (read "ah-four", originally the Awa Railway Class 4) is a 0-4-0T Switcher-type well tank steam locomotive operated by the Japanese Government Railways from 1921 to 1936.

History

The Class A 4 was a well tank locomotive originally ordered by the Awa Railway as their Class 4 locomotive. One locomotives were produced by Orenstein & Koppel in 1921, classified as the Class 4 and numbered 7. When the Awa Railway was nationalized in 1933, the locomotives were initially intended to be named the Class 80, but as there was no formal policy for naming locomotives acquired by the JGR from private railroads, a special case was granted in this case; as a result, the locomotives were classified the Class A 4, with the "A" (read: "ah") being used to designate locomotives acquired from the Awa Railway. The locomotive was used until 1936 and retired and moved to the Takatori Works.

In 1921 and 1923, two similar locomotives were manufactured by Orenstein & Koppel for other private railways; these have the same appearance as the A 4s and as such were also classified as such. These also used for shunting and switching purposes and were used until the 1950s.

After being sent to Takatori Works, the Class A 4 locomotive was used as a training locomotive for budding engineers and was then modified. Modifications were done by Hideo Shima, the progenitor of the Shinkansen system; the modifications were performed by hand. The modified locomotive, now named Wakataka, featured an all new driver's cab and underframes, new side tanks, the removal of the well tank, but the retention of the boiler, wheels and cylinders. The locomotive was used briefly for some industrial work during the Pacific War but saw little use outside of being a training locomotive afterwards. The locomotive was moved to Torokko Saga Station on the Sagano Scenic Railway in 2000 when the Takatori Works were being renovated.

Today, 7, in its rebuilt form as Wakataka, remains at Torokko Saga Station. It is on static display next to C56 98.

Preservation

The following Class A 4 locomotives have been preserved:

Number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Serial number	Date withdrawn	Location	Notes
7 Wakataka	Orenstein & Koppel	September 1921	9752	31 December 1946	Torokko Saga Station 19th Century Hall, Seika, Japan	Displayed indoors; preserved alongside C56 98, C58 48 and front portion of D51 603

References

Awa Electric Railway steam locomotives
Tank	1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7