Short History of the Iyo Railway / Krauss tank locomotive
Lokomotivfabrik Krauss & Comp. was founded in Munich Germany in 1866 by Georg von Krauss. In 1931 Krauss merged with Maffei and became Krauss-Maffei which was the prime locomotive builder for the Bavarian State Railways.
The first two Krauss tank locomotives where imported to Japan in 1888 by the Iyo Railway located in Matsuyama on Shikoku Island in Southwestern Japan. Two more units were added later and kept in service until 1954. Several other Railways also purchased Krauss tank locomotives for their practical design and solid construction. The Krauss tank engines are known in Japan as "Bochan train" after a famous novel written by Soseki Natsume more than 100 years ago. One of the original Krauss engines imported in 1888 is preserved on static display in Umezu-dera park owned by Iyo Railways (pictured below). In addition, two diesel powered "Bochan trains" manufactured by a Japanese company are now operating in Matsuyama on a daily bases pulling passenger coaches. Their popularity has become a important tourist attraction to the local community.
| Scale/Gauge |
1/21 G gauge |
| Weight |
2.5kg |
| Length |
300mm |
| Width |
95.5mm |
| Height |
150mm |
| Wheel Arrangement |
0-2-0 FOUR WHEELER(B) |
| Driving Wheel |
41.5ｍｍ |
| Pilot and Trailer Truck Wheel |
|
| Tender Truck Wheel |
|
| Axle Driven Pump |
Bore 4 mm ∵ Ram Stroke 6 mm |
| Cylinder |
Bore 10 mm ∵ Stroke 13 mm |
| Valve Gear |
Stephenson's valve gear |
| Boiler Type |
Center flue type |
| Water Capacity |
88 cc∈at 80% full∷ |
| Boiler Fittings |
SAFETY VALVES, PRESSURE GAUGE,WATER GAUGE with blow down valve, REGULATOR VALVES, BY-PASS VALVE |
| Lubricator |
Roscoe displacement type |
| Tender |
|
Water Tank Capacity
|
50cc |
Fuel
|
Butane |
| Fuel Capacity |
46cc |
| Minimum Radius |
0.55m |
|
