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Description
Hiro was originally bought by the LMS to serve as an analogue for a mixed traffic 2-8-2 locomotive that would be able to compete with the LNER P2s. He was purchased for 4,000 pounds from the Japanese National Railways in 1936 in practically new condition and shipped from Kobe to Bristol, where he was rebuilt to standard gauge as well as receiving other improvements. He was given the number 9000, then worked from 1936 to 1941 on a variety of duties to gather as much data as possible for Stanier's plans for an LMS mikado. However, these plans fell through with the advent of war with Japan and Hiro was chased by American and British engines to Sodor.

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Description
Hiro was originally bought by the LMS to serve as an analogue for a mixed traffic 2-8-2 locomotive that would be able to compete with the LNER P2s. He was purchased for 4,000 pounds from the Japanese National Railways in 1936 in practically new condition and shipped from Kobe to Bristol, where he was rebuilt to standard gauge as well as receiving other improvements. He was given the number 9000, then worked from 1936 to 1941 on a variety of duties to gather as much data as possible for Stanier's plans for an LMS mikado. However, these plans fell through with the advent of war with Japan and Hiro was chased by American and British engines to Sodor.

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