Sasebo Railway Class 1

Sasebo Railway Class 1
Photo clipping from unknown source
Technical specifications
Serial number(s)	212 – 213 (unconfirmed), rest unknown
Manufacturer(s)	Dai-Nippon Kidō Tekkōbu
Build date	1919, 1921, 1923
Total produced	5
Classification	0-4-0 0-4-2 (5, 6, after modifications)
Dimensions	5,836 mm × Unknown × 3,048 mm
Rail gauge	2 ft 6 in (762 mm)
Valve gear	Walschaerts
Cylinders	2
Boiler pressure	12.0 kg/cm²
Fuel type	Coal
Heating area	15.6 m²
Service information
Years in-service	27 March 1920 – 1953
Running numbers	1 – 2, 4 – 6, later Ke 93 – 95, Ke 700 – 701
Disposition details
Preserved	None
Number operational	None
Number scrapped	5

The Sasebo Railway Class 1 was a 0-4-0WT Switcher-type narrow gauge well tank steam locomotive operated by the Sasebo Railway and later other railway companies from March 1920 to 1953.

History

The Class 1 was an early steam locomotive used in Japan. The locomotives were manufactured by Dai-Nippon Kidō Tekkōbu, later known as Amemiya Seisakusho for the opening of the Sasebo Railway. The first locomotives were manufactured in July 1919 after approval was granted in June; operation commenced with the opening of the Sasebo Railway on 27 March 1920. An additional locomotive was manufactured in April 1921, numbered 4, followed by two more locomotives, 5 and 6, in July 1923. Their small wheel diameters made them slow when it came to pulling passenger trains.

In August 1931 all locomotives had the thickness of their driving wheels increased; 5 and 6 were also given additional modifications with the addition of a trailing truck, making them an 0-4-2. When the railway was nationalized on 1 October 1936, the locomotives came under the ownership of the Japanese Government Railways. 1, 2 and 4 were reclassified the Class Ke 93 and renumbered Ke 93 through Ke 95 and 5 and 6 the Class Ke 700 and renumbered Ke 700 and 701.

Ke 93 was withdrawn in November 1938 and was rebuilt substantially at Kushiro Works for use at the Hokkaido Government Ochiai Forest Railway; allegedly after the rebuild the locomotive in no way resembled what it looked like when it was new. Ke 94 was moved to Hokkaido on 30 May 1944; there are conflicting records regarding what this locomotive was actually used for, such as a stationary boiler or construction work, although it can be confirmed that the locomotive was struck off in 1953. Ke 95 was withdrawn from JGR service in 1948 and transferred to Ōita Kōtsū on 11 April 1949; it was used until September 1953 and subsequently abandoned at Buzen-Zenkōji Station. Both Ke 700 locomotives were moved to Niigata on 23 December 1943; they were used for construction work but further records conflict. They were both withdrawn in 1949.

No Class 1 locomotives have been preserved.

Trivia

• The locomotives were never given classifications by the Sasebo Railway; this naming scheme is given for consistency and convenience.