The world smallest functional steam locomotive
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Yes I saw it. It was during festivities to commemorate the opening of the new JR Nada station. The railway (around 100 meters long) was build in parallel with the Hanshin railway next to Iwaya park and people (mainly parents with their children) were taking ride on it. The locomotive was really tiny:
I could see how they are throwing charcoal pieces in it. Actually there was and a lot of smoke – you could smell it well before you reach the Iwaya Park.
It could easily accommodate 15-20 people and it was traveling with around 7-10 km per hour (crude estimate) fully loaded. Here it is just before departure:
And here it is in action:
I did try (using google) to find some information for the smallest functional steam locomotive but all I found were some toy locomotives and I definitely couldn’t find anything for this Japanese steam engine.
So who knows – may be after all I did find the world smallest functional (cable to transport people) steam engine/locomotive.
Unfortunately I couldn’t find and any information for the crew who assembled and maintained the small locomotive and its railway.
9 Comments on The world smallest functional steam locomotive
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http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/184896020_648ea3fd14_z.jpg
Smaller!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmcl/184896020/sizes/z/in/set-72157594191922748/
Did you find the gauge (distance between the rails?)
This also helps:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridable_miniature_railway
Septo
search for livesteam there is a very active live steam subculture in the United States
Hi Septo,
I didn’t measure the gauge but this train usually appears during the summer festivals so I will try to measure and collect more information from the team (my Japanese is better now).
The locomotive on photo from flicker definitely looks smaller but it is interesting to compare also the power of the engines. This one could easily transport several hundred kilograms (only the machinist was around 100 kg) for at least several hundred meters!
As the video was shot in Japan it is likely that the gauge is 4 3/4 inch between the rails. So the loco is one twelfth scale. There are smaller locos, look carefully at the video and you will see another rail inside the ones being used, this is for 3 1/2 inch gauge and is very common in Japan and the UK. There is also an older standard which was 2 1/2 inch gauge and there are steam locos in that scale which will haul passengers, have a look on youtube.
The loco in the video would be capable of hauling 10-12 adult passengers. Remember you are not carrying their weight, you are overcoming the rolling resistance with steel wheels on steel rail.
For more information google model engineering or live steam
Not even close to the smallest! There are Z scale engines that run on live steam that you could hold with one finger.
Steam engines galore:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=echtdampf+hallentreffen&aq=f
Have fun! Matthias
[...] Posted by Anurag Shukla on September 13, 2010 in Entertainment · 0 Comment Locomotive are out of use simply because they pollute too much and waste approximately 60% of the energy generated by using coal. However, those who love the old glories, Japan is the right place to feel those days when locomotives were used. However, the one we’re talking about isn’t a big one but the smallest. Running on pieces of charcoal stuffed into the engine, the smallest locomotive runs on 100 meter long track built alongside the Hanshin railway next to Iwaya Park. The locomotive is capable enough to ferry around 15-20 people at a time with a maximum speed of 7-10 km per hour. Sadly, we don’t know as to who built it or what inspired the creator, but images and video attached here are enough for anyone to appreciate this amazing marvel. More images after the break… Via – Link [...]
Walt Disney used to have something like this in his back yard. He used to take guests for a ride. It’s actually not that uncommon. It’s definitely not the world’s smallest though.
I’ve seen smaller steamers run around the Los Angeles Live Steamers track. My dad built a 7 1/2 inch gauge 4-6-2 steam locomotive, it’s on display at a local museum after many years of running.