Taiwan 50→C35→CK50 Steam Locomotive

When this locomotive type appeared in 1905, the railway had already opened from Keelung to Sanshaga (Sanyi) in the north, and from Takao (Kaohsiung) toward Douliu in the south. In central Taiwan, the Changhua–Ni-hasui (Ershui) section and the Ni-hasui–Koroton (Fengyuan) section also opened in stages during the same year. The construction section south of Miaoli on the north-south main line, later known as the Mountain Line, included gradients of 20‰, and more powerful locomotives were required. As the existing locomotives gradually became inadequate, the class 50 was introduced. Fourteen locomotives were built by Kisha Kaisha in Japan between 1905 and 1912. The first two had a somewhat experimental character, with a smaller coal bunker behind the cab and other specifications that differed from those of the later twelve locomotives. Although classical in appearance, this type performed well on graded sections and later remained in service for many years, including shunting duties, into the postwar period. Initially, the first two locomotives and the later twelve were treated as separate classes, but they were later unified as class C35. After the war they became class CK50. Because of their long service life, they were modified with automatic couplers, air brakes, enlarged cabs, and other improvements. Today, CK58 is preserved at the Hamasen Railway Cultural Park (哈瑪星鐵道文化園區) on the former Kaohsiung Port Station site. Since the specifications vary slightly depending on the source, this page follows National Locomotive Directory (Zenkoku Kikansha Yōran, Sharyō Kōgakkai, 1921). Figures in parentheses indicate the data for the first two locomotives.