KD5 (Standard Gauge JNR 9600 Class) in Hainan Island
KD5-207 at Basuo depot, Hainan Island, 1986 (Photo: Mr. Ryuichi Kita)
The KD5 class locomotives, derived from the JNR 9600 class and running on standard gauge (1435 mm), were found on Hainan Island, China. Although no longer in service at the time of observation, they remained in remarkably good condition. Mr. Ryuichi Kita observed four units during his visit: KD5-207, KD5-262, KD5-411, and KD5-444.
The “KD” in KD5 denotes the 1D wheel arrangement known as “Consolidation.” Some of these locomotives were later regauged for metre gauge use and classified as KD55 in Yunnan Province.
Mr. Kita contributed an article titled “Treasure Island’s Steam Emotion” to the Japanese magazine Tetsudō Journal, published in December 1986.