The JNR Class 8620 is a 2-6-0 Mogul-type steam locomotive operated by the Japanese Government Railways, later the Japanese National Railways, from 1914 to 1975.
History[]
The 8620s were used mainly as passenger locomotives and were the first domestically produced steam locomotives that were produced in volume. The locomotives were retired in 1975 after sixty-one years of service. Some 8620s were manufactured in Taiwan and served as the CT150 Class.
Twenty-two locomotives have survived into preservation, in addition to one CT150 class locomotive. Of the twenty-two locomotives, two locomotives, namely 8630 and 58654, are preserved in operational condition. The first locomotive built, 8620, also survived into preservation; it is on static display at the Ome Railway Park in Ome, Tokyo. 58654 is expected to be taken out of service in March 2024; due to the locomotive's age it is difficult to procure spare parts and as a result maintain the locomotive. 8630 features an American-styled bell which was not originally fitted on the locomotive.
Preservation[]
- Main article: /Preservation
Twenty locomotives have been preserved.
Trivia[]
- The 8620s are known for their appearances in some forms of Japanese media; most notably, class leader 8620 is a focal point of the Japanese visual novel Maitetsu.
- The Class 8620 was depicted as (or at least served as the inspiration for) the Mugen Train (lit. "unlimited train") in the film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train. Both operational 8620 locomotives, 8630 and 58654, were given aesthetic changes to resemble the train as seen in the movie.
- The locomotives are popularly known as Hachiroku (86 in Japanese) among railfans.
Gallery[]
