As of April 1992, Miike Coal Railway had 21 electric locomotives.
Miike Coal Mine closed down in March 1997, but 5 electric locomotives and Asahimachi branch line (between Miyaura and Kariyagawa) were utilized as “Mitsui Chemicals Industrial Railway” even after Miike Coal Mine closed down.
“Mitsui Chemicals Industrial Railway” was also abolished in May 2020, but it still has not been decided yet what to do in the future, regarding electric locomotives, rail and facilities.
So electric locomotives are being driven in Miyaura station premise about once a week to remove rust.
Furthermore there are also 4 electric locomotives which are preserved at Mikawa pit.
Electric Locomotives in active
Currently (As of May 2020), there are 5 electric locomotives which can operate even now.
- 20 tons class, type B
There are 3 electric locomotives (No 9, 11 and 12) in active as 20 tons B.
No. 9 electric locomotive was made in 1915 by Mitsubishi, is oldest of electric locomotive in active (However No.9 electric locomotive has malfunction currently, so it is in garage).
Both No. 11 and No. 12 electric locomotives were made of 1917 by Mitsubishi.
These electric locomotives were utilized as switcher mainly at Miyaura terminal until May 2020, even after Miike Coal Mine closed down.
- 45 tons class, type B-B
There are 2 electric locomotives (No 18 and No 19) in active as 45 tons B-B.
Both electric locomotives were made in 1937 by Shibaura Engineering Works (later Toshiba).
These locomotives ran between Miyaura and Kariyagawa for container freight transportation which is contained a chemical agents until May 2020, even after Miike Coal Mine closed down.
- Location – Miyaura terminal
Preserved Electric Locomotives
Currently (as of May 2020), there are 4 electric locomotives which are preserved at Mikawa pit.
- 15 tons class, type B
One electric locomotive (No. 5) is preserved.
No. 5 electric locomotive was made in 1908 by General Electric Company (USA).
The age when Miike Coal Mine was in service, this electric locomotive was utilized as switcher mainly at Miike port.
This electric locomotive is oldest of extant electric locomotive.
- 20 tons class, type B
2 electric locomotives (No. 1 and No. 5) are preserved.
No. 1 electric locomotive was made in 1911 by Siemens-Schuckert (Germany), so it is called “Siemens Gou”.
No. 5 electric locomotive was made in 1915 by Mitsubishi, as copy of No.1 electric locomotive.
- 45 tons class, type B-B
One electric locomotive (No. 17) is preserved.
This locomotive was made in 1936 by Shibaura Engineering Works (later Toshiba).
The age when Miike Coal Mine was in service, this electric locomotive ran between Miike port and Miikehama to pull coal cars.
- Location – Mikawa pit