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The Okinawa Prefectural Railways Class 20 was a 0-6-2T Webb-type narrow gauge side tank steam locomotive operated by the Okinawa Prefectural Railways from 1942 to March 1945.

History[]

The Class 20 was the fifth and final steam locomotive type to operate on the Okinawa Prefectural Railways. One locomotive was built by Motoe Machinery (later Tateyama Heavy Industries) for use on the railway in 1942; the locomotive was numbered 20 and entered service that year. Its serial number is not known. The locomotive was one of the largest steam locomotives manufactured by Motoe Machinery, with a number of other similar steam locomotives manufactured for other railways such as the Kamaishi Mine Railway's No. 208. It was also one of the largest steam locomotives built for the 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge.

Service details regarding this locomotive are scant although the locomotive was used on the Okinawa Prefectural Railways until March 1945 with the line ceasing operations; photos show that the locomotive was heavily damaged during the ensuing air raids on Okinawa causing it to derail and be significantly damaged, with the locomotive likely scrapped shortly after. Okinawa would ultimately lose all of its railways due to the effects of World War II, with numerous air raids significantly damaging the locomotives; Okinawa would not regain a railway line until 2003 with the construction of the Okinawa Urban Monorail.

Few photos exist of the locomotive.

Trivia[]

  • The locomotive was never given a classification by the Okinawa Prefectural Railways; this naming scheme is given for consistency and convenience.

References[]

Okinawa Prefectural Railways motive power
Steam locomotives 1 – 346 – 811 – 1420
Diesel multiple unit KiHa 1KiHa 11KiHa 21KiHa 31
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