JGR Class 8900

Class 8900
Member of Class 8900 as built at Brooks Works
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder American Locomotive Company Build date 1911-1912 Total produced 36
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-2 Pacific Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Driver dia. 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Fuel type Coal Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures Maximum speed 70 mph (113 km/h)
Career Retired 1957 Disposition All withdrawn and scrapped

The JGR Class 8900 was a type of 4-6-2 steam locomotive type formerly used in Japan by the Japanese Government Railways (JGR). The locomotives were built by the American Locomotive Company in the USA. They were the first 4-6-2 Pacific types used in Japan. They were numbered 8900-8935. They remained in service until 1957 when they were scrapped. None were preserved.

History

Thirty-six locomotives were manufactured in two batches (the tenders were manufactured domestically). The first order of 24 locomotives (serial numbers 49805 - 49828) were manufactured by Brooks Works, and the second order of 12 locos (serial numbers 50535 - 50546) were manufactured by Richmond Works. The type was originally planned to be 8600 series, and the first order of 24 cars arrived with numbers 8600 - 8623, but due to a change in the wheel arrangement, the numbers were changed to the 8900 series (8900 - 8923). The second order from Richmond was originally completed with numbers 8924 - 8935. Occasionally these engines were used on royal train duties hauling Emperor Taishō.

An engineering drawing of the 8900 Class 4-6-2 built for the Japanese Government Railways by ALCO.

Builder's photo of 8900 4-6-2 Pacific by ALCO for the Japanese Government Railways.

Alco sales card of Imperial Taiwanese Railways Pacific. This is the exact same type supplied by ALCO to the JGR minus the tender.

See also

• Japan Railways locomotive numbering and classification
• JNR Class C51
• JNR Class C57