The JNR Class B20 is a 0-4-0T Switcher-type side tank saturated steam locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways.
History[]
The B20 was designed under the Important Industrial Control Law as a small steam locomotive intended for industrial use. The locomotives were manufactured during World War II, although their actual conditions of operation are not known. A total of 15 locomotives (5 by JNR's Kōriyama Works and 10 by Tateyama Heavy Industries) were manufactured.
As these trains were so small, these were only used for shunting duties and were not able to pull a mainline train. Many were retired early as these were produced under duress, and as such workmanship and build quality of the locomotives was poor. Due to the shape of their tanks, they have been referred to as the Bean Tank by casual railfans. Two locomotives survive today: class leader B20 1, located at the abandoned Asahi Station in Hokkaido, and B20 10 at the Kyoto Railway Museum. Only B20 10 is maintained in operational condition.
Preservation[]
The following Class B20 locomotives have been preserved:
Number | Manufacturer | Date manufactured | Serial number | Date withdrawn | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B20 1 | Kōriyama Works | February 1944 | 11 | 23 October 1967 | Manjisentetsudo Park, Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, Japan | Lead member of class, preserved under shelter; cab open for public viewing, cosmetically restored 2016 |
B20 10 | Tateyama Heavy Industries | 7 December 1946 | 349 | 28 March 1979 | Kyoto Railway Museum, Kyoto, Japan | Operational, not mainline certified; used for switching purposes and other shows within compound, designated Quasi-Railway Monument in 2000 |