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JGR Class 8620

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
JGR Class 8620
Taiwan Railways Class CT150
58654 in service
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderMitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hitachi, Nippon Sharyo, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company, Kisha Seizo
Build date1914-1929
Total produced672
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-6-0
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Leading dia.940 mm (3 ft 1 in)
Driver dia.1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Minimum curve940 mm (3 ft 1 in)
Length:
 • Over couplers16,765 mm (55 ft 0 in)
Width2,581 mm (8 ft 5.6 in)
Height3,785 mm (12 ft 5.0 in)
Frame typePlate
Loco weight48.83 t (48.06 long tons; 53.83 short tons)
Tender weight34.50 t (33.96 long tons; 38.03 short tons)
Cylinder size470 mm (1 ft 7 in)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Performance figures
Maximum speed90 km/h?
Power output558kw(630hp) ?
Tractive effort89.2kN
Career
OperatorsJNR
JR Kyushu
Taiwan Railways
Number in class672
Numbers8620 - 88651
NicknamesHachiroku, Mugen Train
Retired1975

The Class 8620 (8620形) is a type of 2-6-0 steam locomotive built in Japan from 1914 to 1929. It was Japan's first mass-produced passenger locomotive. A total of 672 Class 8620 locomotives were built.[1] Originally they had a symmetry of line with shapely cast iron chimneys which gave way to plainer chimneys and smoke deflectors were added in later years.

A total of 42 Class 8620 locomotives were built for Imperial Taiwan Railway from 1919 to 1928. After World War II, they were taken over by Taiwan Government Railways, and were classified CT150.[2][3]

Preserved examples

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As of 2014, twenty Class 8620 locomotives have been preserved in Japan, as follows.[4] (They have also been preserved in Taiwan.)

Taiwan

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  • CT152: Preserved at Miaoli Railway Museum in Miaoli

Japan

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8620 No. 8630 dressed as Mugen Train in the Kyoto Railway Museum
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Steam locomotive 58654 operated by Kyushu Railway Co. during the film's release for publicity.

KATO have made models in N gauge of the 8620 in the Tohoku region as well as SL Hitoyoshi in a special 4-car limited edition boxed set. Plarail have also depicted the 8620 in the form of SL Hitoyoshi and SL Aso Boy.

The Class 8620 has made appearances in notable forms of Japanese media. Maitetsu, a visual novel developed by now-disbanded visual novel developer Lose, featuring anthropomorphic depictions of steam locomotives known as "Raillords". Hachiroku, a depiction of class leader No. 8620, is the main heroine of the novel.

The Class 8620's popularity would rise when the locomotive would be featured in the movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, taking place on a train pulled by the Mugen Train, modeled after the real No. 8620 on display at the Ome Railway Park. The two operational Class 8620s, 8630 and 58654, were cosmetically modified to match the train as seen in the movie and operated with these cosmetic modifications.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Inoue, Kōichi (1999). 国鉄機関車辞典 [JNR Locomotive Encyclopedia]. Japan: Sankaido. pp. 28–31. ISBN 4-381-10338-6.
  2. ^ "Taiwan Railway 2-6-0 Locomotives in Taiwan". Steam Locomotive dot Com. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  3. ^ "History of Locomotive". Taiwan Railways Administration. Archived from the original on 12 December 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  4. ^ Sasada, Masahiro (25 November 2014). 国鉄&JR保存車大全2015-2016 [JNR & JR Preserved Rolling Stock Complete Guide 2015-2016] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. p. 126. ISBN 978-4863209282.