Sentetsu Pureha-class locomotives

Chosen Government Railway Pureha class (プレハ) Korean National Railroad Pureo8 class (푸러8) Korean State Railway Purŏp'a class (부러파)
Builder's photo of Sentetsu プレハ36, built by Kisha Seizō in 1939.
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder , Hitachi, Kisha Seizō Build date 1932 (Gyeongseong) 1939 (Hitachi, Kisha Seizō) Total produced 38
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-2T Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Driver dia. 1,520 mm (60 in) Length 10,800 mm (35 ft 5 in) Width 3,010 mm (9 ft 11 in) Height 3,940 mm (12 ft 11 in) Adhesive weight 43.90 t (43.21 long tons) Loco weight 67.70 t (66.63 long tons) Fuel capacity 2.00 t (1.97 long tons) Water cap 5,000 L (1,300 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 2.40 m2 (25.8 sq ft) Boiler: ​  • Small tubes 89 x 51 mm (2.0 in)  • Large tubes 18 x 137 mm (5.4 in) Boiler pressure 14.0 kgf/cm2 (199 psi) Heating surface 104.30 m2 (1,122.7 sq ft)  • Tubes 69.60 m2 (749.2 sq ft)  • Firebox 10.20 m2 (109.8 sq ft) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 24.50 m2 (263.7 sq ft) Cylinders 1 Cylinder size 410 mm × 610 mm (16 in × 24 in) Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures Maximum speed 90 km/h (56 mph) Tractive effort 78.9 kN (17,700 lbf)
Career Operators Chosen Government Railway Korean National Railroad Korean State Railway Class Sentetsu: プレハ KNR: 푸러8 KSR: 부러파 Number in class Sentetsu: 38 Numbers Sentetsu: プレハ1 – プレハ38 Delivered 1932, 1939

The Pureha-class (プレハ) locomotives were a group of steam tank locomotives with 2-6-2 wheel arrangement of used by the Chosen Government Railway (Sentetsu) in Korea. The "Pure" name came from the American naming system for steam locomotives, under which locomotives with 2-6-2 wheel arrangement were called "Prairie".^[1]

In all, Sentetsu owned 227 locomotives of all Pure classes, whilst privately owned railways owned another 52; of these 279 locomotives, 169 went to the Korean National Railroad in South Korea and 110 to the Korean State Railway in North Korea.^[2]

Description[]

The プレハ (Pureha) class was the eighth and final class of 2-6-2 locomotives procured by Sentetsu.^[3] They were designed by Sentetsu as the most advanced locomotives in Korea at the time of their introduction, and the first twelve were built in 1932 by the Gyeongsong Works. A further 26 were built in 1939 by Hitachi and Kisha Seizō and assembled at Sentetsu's Busan shops.^[4] Unlike previous Pure class locomotives, the Pureha class had larger driving wheels, with a diameter of 1,520 mm (60 in), which increased their maximum speed to 90 km/h (56 mph). They were frequently used for express trains on the Gyeongin Line.^[4]

Postwar[]

A Pureha class locomotive in North Korea during the Korean War, with a Purena-class engine behind it.

After the end of the Pacific War and the subsequent partition of Korea, these locomotives were divided between North and South Korea.

Korean National Railroad 푸러8 (Pureo8) class[]

Many Pureha class locomotives were used by the Korean National Railroad after Liberation, which designated them 푸러8 (Pureo8) class;^[4] they were used by the KNR primarily for shunting duties, and on light local and suburban passenger services.^[5]

Korean State Railway 부러파 (Purŏp'a) class/1800 series[]

The Sentetsu Purena class locomotives that remained in the North after the partition of Korea were operated by the Korean State Railway, designating them 부러파 (Purŏp'a) class, and later renumbering them into the 1800 series around the early 1970s. The total number and identities of the engines that went north is uncertain, but it is known プレハ38 had gone to the north, where it was in use around Hamheung in 1951, still carrying Sentetsu number plates and emblems. It is unknown whether the locomotive remained in the North after the Korean War, or if it was taken by UN forces during the withdrawal.^[5]

Construction[]

References[]