Taiwan LD10→LDK50 Steam Locomotives

The LD10 class was used for both passenger and freight service as one of the principal locomotive classes on the prewar Taitung Line (臺東線). The first three locomotives were built in 1915 by H. K. Porter in the United States. They were followed by four locomotives built by Kisha Seizo between 1917 and 1921, one by Nippon Sharyo in 1923, one each by Hitachi in 1925 and 1930, two by Kisha Seizo in 1937, and one by Nippon Sharyo in 1938, for a total of 13 locomotives. Specifications varied according to the year of construction. From LDK59 onward, the cab was enlarged and the side tanks extended farther forward, giving these later locomotives a markedly different appearance. After being designated LD10 under the Taiwan Government Railways, the class became the LDK50 class of the Taiwan Railway Administration after the war.

The whereabouts of two locomotives later purchased by Tokyu and returned to Japan are known. LDK56 is preserved at the Steak Pekopeko Minami-Koshigaya restaurant in Koshigaya, painted entirely green, although its condition is not very good. LDK57 was formerly preserved at Nasu SL Land in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, in a livery resembling Thomas the Tank Engine. The facility became KIDS PLAYGROUND//NASU in 2022, and LDK57 now appears to have been repainted entirely light blue; it can be seen from the road in front of the site, Rindo Line. LDK58 was once displayed in front of Taipei Station, but in 2025 it was moved to a display site in front of Sankuaicuo Station in Kaohsiung. LDK59 was restored to working order in 2011 and is preserved at the Hualien Workshop, although there have been no recent records of operation. The specifications below are those of LDK51 as originally introduced.