Krauss Tank / Iyo Forestry Railway

Now available

Krauss tank locomotives are offered in green and black livery. 

 

Passenger coaches shown on this page are available as separate items in pairs only. (not included with locomotive purchase). Available in green or brown livery as RTR versions only , (sorry no kits).

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Technical features of the Aster Krauss Tank

Pictures left and  below with engine cab removed reveal some of the armatures and controls. Visible are the push type manual water pump fitted inside the water tank. Located on the right side of the chassis is the vertical butane tank with extended filler valve on top.   A push type blow-down valve is provided to clear air bubbles from the gauge glass and / or blow down the boiler. The steam oil tank and Johnson bar are visible on right hand side of the locomotive. The gas burner valve and throttle lever are located on the centerline. The rear buffer beam incorporates a gas - and feed water line adaptor for use with the Aster utility car. (utility car available as a separate item). Standard features are front and rear mounted European type hook and loop couplers with a single centerline buffer, as well as LGB type couplers.

 

Technical details for the Iyo Krauss tank locomotive
Scale / Gauge 1/20.3 (G scale)
Length over buffers

300 mm
Height 150 mm
Width 95.5 mm
Weight 2.5 Kg.
Cylinder arrangement

2 cylinder, bore / stroke 10 mm x 13 mm
Locomotive type 0-4-0
Fuel Butane gas
Valve gear outside Stephenson's , D-slide valves
Other armatures and implements

1 safety valve , Water gauge glass, Boiler / Gauge- glass blowdown valve, Pressure gauge, Regulator valve, Butane and water hose connections for auxiliary service car, opening smoke box door,
Boiler  Center flue
Water feed system Axle driven eccentric pump and manual push type pump
Lubrication Roscoe displacement type
Turning radius Minimum 0.55 meter

 

 

For pricing information please contact AH USA LLC or your favorite Aster dealer

 

Short History of the Iyo Railway / Krauss tank locomotive

Lokomotivfabrik Krauss & Comp. was founded in Munich Germany in 1866 by Georg von Krauss. In 1931 Krauss merged with Maffei and became Krauss-Maffei which was the prime locomotive builder for the Bavarian State Railways. 

The first two Krauss tank locomotives imported to Japan in 1888 were purchased by the Iyo Railway, located in Matsuyama on Shikoku Island in Southwestern Japan. Two more units were added later and kept in service until 1954. Several other Railways also purchased these Krauss tank locomotives for their practical design and solid construction. The Krauss tank engines are known in Japan as "Bochan train" after a famous novel written by Soseki Natsume more than 100 years ago. One of the original Krauss engines imported in 1888 is preserved on static display in Umezu-dera park owned by Iyo Railways (pictured below). In addition, two diesel powered "Bochan trains" manufactured by a Japanese company are now operating in Matsuyama on a daily bases pulling passenger coaches. Their popularity has become a important tourist attraction to the local community.