JNR Class KE50

JNR Class KE50
Design drawings
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	N/A
Build date	N/A
Total produced	None
Classification	2-10-2
Dimensions	21,985 mm × Unknown × 3,982 mm
Rail gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Valve gear	Walschaerts
Cylinders	2
Boiler pressure	16.0 kg/cm²
Firegrate area	1.63m²
Fuel type	Coal
Heating area	88.4m²
Performance figures
Tractive effort	21,720 kg

The JNR Class KE50 was a proposed 2-10-2 Santa Fe-type superheated steam locomotive intended to be operated by the Japanese National Railways.

History

The Class KE50s were designed by the Japanese Ministry of Railways as a freight train which could be used during World War II; ships were sinking which did not aid in goods transportation, so a train had to do so. The trains would use the same boilers as the D52. Plans were drawn up but ultimately none were built, though the reason as to why they were never built remains under dispute; one source hypothesizes that the train's large driving wheels made it difficult for it to go at high speeds and that it was too big for turntable usage. If the locomotives were built, these would have likely been the biggest steam locomotives owned by the JNR.