JGR Class 160

The JGR Class 160 (originally the JGR Class A6 and A7) is a 2-4-0T Porter-type side tank steam locomotive operated by the Japanese Government Railways from October 1872 to 1957.
==History==
The Class 160 was one of the earliest steam locomotives operated in Japan. The type was ordered by the JGR as one of their earliest steam locomotives, with four locomotives manufactured by Sharp, Stewart and Company; this was one of ten British-imported steam locomotives operating in Japan around that time. The locomotives were assigned the Class A6 and numbered 2 to 5. The locomotives began operation on 14 October 1872 with the opening of Japan's first railway line, with locomotives 2 and 5 (later 162 and 160 respectively) pulling and pushing the royal train respectively; October 14 is celebrated as Railway Day in Japan even today to commemorate the line's opening.
In 1874, two more locomotives were produced; these were classified the Class A7 and numbered 22 and 23. All six locomotives were moved between various private railways during the late 1800s. After the Railway Nationalization Act was passed in 1909, the locomotive was renumbered the Class 160. After returning to Tokyo the locomotive was formally retired in January 1924 and moved to Ōmiya Works for display. The last locomotive, Nagoya Railway No. 12 (ex-165), was retired in 1955. 12 was initially moved to the Inuyama Meitetsu Line Park (now Japan Monkey Park) for display, but was then moved to the Meiji Mura Museum in 1965. In 1973, the locomotive was restored to operating condition and remains as such to this day; many regard this locomotive as a "marvelous achievement" as it is a rare example of a genuine Okajoki (colloquial nickname for a Meiji-era steam locomotive) which remains in operation.
The boiler of 12 was replaced in 1985 with a newer, strengthened replica of the original boiler; the original boiler remains preserved in Meiji Mura. 12 remains active in excursion service today, shuttling passengers around Meiji Mura. The locomotive operates alongside Class 1240 locomotive 2, in its guise as Nippon Steel 9.
==Preservation==
The following Class 160 locomotives have been preserved:
Image	Number	Manufacturer 	Date manufactured	Serial number	Date withdrawn 	Location 	Notes
 	165 	Sharp, Stewart and Company	1874 	2421 	9 March 1911 (JGR)October 1957 (Nagoya)	Meiji-mura, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan	Operational, in Nagoya Railway 12 guise; ex-Nagoya Railway, overhauled 2019 to 2022
==Gallery==
JGR 165 Boiler.jpg|165's original boiler
==References==
Category:Locomotives
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Steam locomotives
Category:2-4-0 locomotives
Category:2-4-0 steam locomotives
Category:2-4-0T locomotives
Category:Sharp Stewart locomotives
Category:Pre-Meitetsu trains
Category:Sole survivor
Category:Japanese locomotives
Category:Japanese steam locomotives
Category:Built in 1873
Category:Built in 1872
Category:Built in 1874
Category:Side tank locomotives
Category:2-4-0T steam locomotives