Kiso Forestry Railways (Japan)

                  Baldwin B1 Tank narrow gauge (in 1/20 G - scale)

Now available ! Please call for detailed information and price quote.

Production model shown above features the optional inside Stephenson valve gear- and detail kit installed.

Early in the 1900's the transportation needs in the Japanese forestry industry required small steam locomotives. A new US built Tank locomotive was introduced by Baldwin of Philadelphia. Originally produced for agricultural duty, these 0-4-2 locomotives came soon into service with the Tsugaru logging railways in 1906. The Kiso Forestry Railways also purchased several of these adaptable B1 tank engines and operated them until the early 1960's , when they where replaced by Diesels. The prototype of this later version Baldwin B1 is still preserved in operational condition.

Aster Hobby Japan has chosen to model this locomotive primarily for their domestic market. A total of 125 examples will be produced. This version is a complete re design of the Baldwin Tank plantation locomotive produced by Aster in 1981. It is available as basic version with slip eccentric reversing gear and limited cosmetic detail. A optional Stephenson reversing gear conversion kit and cosmetic detail kit will be available at additional cost by January 2010. (Optional detail and valve gear kit not available separate).

Kiso Forestry Railways log car

As of April 6th 2010 the log cars have sold out. Thank you.

A new log car as used by the Kiso Forestry Railroad is now in production and will be available by end of June 2010. This log car made entirely of lost wax brass castings and steel is modeled after the preserved original example (pictured on the right). 100 sets will be produced. A second production batch may follow, depending on demand. Expected retail price $ 600.- per set of two bogies (as shown in photograph). Please make your reservation now.

Locomotive chassis pictures:

 Below  left with basic slip eccentric valve gear reverse mechanism .          Below right with optional Stephenson valve gear and detail kit

The two pictures below show the pilot model without the optional valve gear and detail kit installed.

Technical Specifications
Scale / gauge  1: 20 ( G scale) Axle driven feed water pump
Weight             2.16 Kg 2 cylinders with D slide valve, bore 10mm x stroke 14mm
Lenght            270 mm Slip eccentric  / or optional Stephenson valve gear
Width             105 mm C-type boiler / 110 ml capacity
Height             104.5 mm Safety valve, superheater, pressure gauge, water gauge glass,
Wheel arrangement   0-4-2 Regulator valve and blower valve
Driving wheel diameter  36mm Roscoe displacement lubricator
Pilot and trailing wheel diameter 28mm Fuel : Methylated alcohol
Minimum turning radius 0.55 meter Fuel capacity: 67 ml