Class 9600 Steam Locomotive – A Pioneer of Japanese Freight Power

The Class 9600 was Japan’s first mass-produced tender-type steam locomotive designed specifically for freight service. A total of 770 units were built during the Taisho era (1912–1926), making it the second most produced locomotive class in Japan, after the D51.

With a large boiler set high above narrow-gauge driving wheels, the 9600 had a distinctive, somewhat top-heavy look. Despite this, the small driving wheels (1,245 mm) and low-set cylinders gave it a well-balanced design. A unique feature of this class is its left-leading crank pin, which sets it apart from most other Japanese locomotives.

The 9600s were deployed widely across Japan (excluding Shikoku) and remained in service for decades due to their high traction, light axle load, and ease of adaptation to different lines. Many were also converted for overseas use during wartime, particularly in China and Karafuto (Sakhalin). Nearly one-third of all units were sent abroad by the end of World War II and never returned.

In the postwar period, the 9600s continued to operate on coal transport routes in Hokkaido and Kyushu, as well as on steep and rural lines. Some units were equipped with regional modifications such as snow gear and twin headlights—famously nicknamed "Crab Eyes" in snowy Hokkaido. Locomotives like Nos. 79615, 79616, and 79618 spent their entire careers in Hokkaido, each developing subtle differences over time.

The Class 9600's long service life and regional variations have made it a beloved icon among steam locomotive enthusiasts.

SCALE

1:80

GAUGE

HO

MINIMUM PASSAGE RADIUS

R790mm

BODY MATERIAL

brass