Chosen Government Railway

Sentetsu's first classification system was a simple, number-based system, in which, loosely, the hundreds digit of the running number indicated the locomotive's wheel arrangement - numbers in the 100s were 2-6-0 or 2-8-0, those in the 200s and 300s were 4-6-0, the 400s were 4-4-0, the 500s were 4-6-4, and so on. This slightly modified in 1918, the year after Mantetsu took over management of Korea's railways, with some of the numbers being redefined, and after Mantetsu introduced a new classification system for its own locomotives in 1920, the system for Korean locomotives was once again adjusted, retaining the number series as they were in 1918, but adding new class designations - likewise reflecting wheel arrangement - akin to those used for Mantetsu's own locomotives, based on the common American name for the given wheel arrangement. Thus, from the 1920s until 1938, Sentetsu's locomotive had both a katakana-based class designation as well as a running number; however, unlike Mantetsu's engines, those of Sentetsu didn't have the class designation marked on the locomotive itself.

In 1938, Mantetsu introduced a unified classification and numbering system for its own locomotives, as well as for those of its de jure subsidiary, the North China Transportation Company, and its de facto subsidiary, the Manchukuo National Railway. At the same time Sentetsu - though it had regained its independence in 1925 - introduced its own variant of the new Mantetsu system, which included the locomotives owned by private railways in Korea.[4]

The new system consisted of a class designation and a running number counting sequentially from 1; the class designation had three katakana characters.[5] The first two, indicating wheel arrangement, remained as they were in the previous system, with the addition of one: マテ (Mate), from "Mountain", for 4-8-2 locomotives introduced in 1939. The third katakana in the class name was the class number, derived from the first syllable of the corresponding Japanese numbers from one to ten:

• 1 - i (イ), from イチ, "ichi"
• 2 - ni (ニ), from ニ, "ni"
• 3 - sa (サ), from サン, "san"
• 4 - shi (シ), from シ, "shi"
• 5 - ko (コ), from ゴ, "go"
• 6 - ro (ロ), from ロク, "roku"
• 7 - na (ナ), from ナナ, "nana"
• 8 - ha (ハ), from ハチ, "hachi"
• 9 - ku (ク), from ク, "ku"
• 10 - chi (チ), from ヂウ, "jyu"

Thus, the third class of locomotives with a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement would be called パシサ - Pashisa.

Narrow-gauge steam locomotives did not use the designation forms based on wheel arrangement; instead, they all used ナキ ("Naki", from English "Narrow Gauge") plus a class number. Petrol-powered narrow gauge railcars were classified ナケハ.

Classification of electric locomotives was slightly different from that used for steam locomotives. Although this also used the two character + class number arrangement, the first character was デ ("de", from 電気, denki, "electric"), while the second character indicated the number of powered axles (using the same number abbreviations as used for the class number). In practice, Sentetsu had only two types of electric locomotive, both with six powered axles - デロイ (DeRoI) and デロニ (DeRoNi).[5]

This classification system later formed the basis of the systems used by both the Korean National Railroad in South Korea[3] and the Korean State Railway in North Korea.[5]

• Shiki-class (シキ) steam railcars
• Keha-class (ケハ) petrol railcars
• Jiha-class (ジハ) Diesel railcar

• Nakii-class (ナキイ) steam locomotives
• Nakini-class (ナキニ) steam locomotives
• Nakisa-class (ナキサ) steam locomotives
• Nakishi-class (ナキシ) steam locomotives
• Nakiko-class (ナキコ) steam locomotives
• Nakiro-class (ナキロ) steam locomotives
• Nakina-class (ナキナ) steam locomotives
• Nakiha-class (ナキハ) steam locomotives

• Nakeha-class (ナケハ) petrol railcars

• Bakcheon Line (Hakusen Line): Maengjungni–Bakcheon, 1926–1945 (to KSR Pakch'on Line)
• Bongcheon Colliery Line (Hōsen Tankō Line): Bongcheon–Bongcheon Colliery, 1933–1945 (to KSR Pongch'ŏn Colliery Line)
• Botonggang Line (Futsūkō Line): Botonggang–Pyeongcheon, 1944–1945 (to KSR P'yŏngyang Thermal Power Plant Line)
• Bukcheong Line (Hokusei Line): Sinbukcheong–Bukcheong, 1929–1945 (to KSR Tŏksŏng Line)
• Busan Jochajang Line (Fuzan Sōshajō Line): Sasang–Beomil, 1944–1945 (to KNR Gaya Line)
• Chaho Line (Shako Line): Jeungsan–Chaho, 1929–1945 (to KSR Riwŏn Line)
• Cheolsan Line (Tetsuzan Line): Riwon Cheolsan–Raheung, 1929–1945 (to KSR Riwŏn Line)
• Cheongjin Wharf Line (Seishinfutō Line): Cheongjin–Cheongjinbudu (Cheongjinhang), 1940–1945 (to KSR Ch'ŏngjin Port Line)
• West Cheongju Line (Nishi-Seishū Line): Jochiwon–Cheongjugu, 1925–1945 (to KNR West Cheongju Line (ko))
• Cheongna Line (Seira Line): Cheongjin–Cheongam, 1945 (to KSR Ch'ŏngra Line)
• Cheonnaeri Line (Sennairi Line): Ryongdam–Cheonnaeri, 1927–1945 (to KSR Ch'ŏnnae Line)
• Cheonseong Colliery Line (Tensei Tankō Line): Sinchang–Cheonseong, 1936–1945 (to KSR Ch'ŏnsŏng Colliery Line)
• Daean Line (Taian Line): Giyang–Daean Hwamul, <1937–1945 (to KSR Taean Line)
• Daegu Line (Taikyū Line): Daegu–Yeongcheon, 1938–1945 (to KNR Daegu Line)
• Daejeon Line (Taiden Line): Daejeon–Seodaejeon, 1944–1945 (to KNR Daejeon Line (ko))
• Deokdal Branch Line (Tokutachi Branch Line): Cheongdan–Deokdal, 1944–1945 (to KSR Tŏktal Line)
• Dongcheon Line (Tōsen Line): Charyeongwan–Dongcheon, <1937–1945 (to KSR Ch'ŏlsan Line)
• Donghae Bukbu Line (Tōkai Hokubu Line): Anbyeon–Oegeumgang–Kamho–Chogu–Jejin–Yangyang, 1929–1945 (Anbyeon–Kamho to KSR Kŭmgangsan Ch'ŏngnyŏn Line, Chogu–Yangyang to KNR Donghae Bukbu Line)
• Donghae Jungbu Line (Tōkai Chūbu Line): Daegu–Gyeongju–Haksan, Gyeongju–Ulsan, 1928–1945
• Donghae Nambu Line (Tōkai Nanbu Line): Haksan–Pohang–Gyeongju–Ulsan–Busan, 1934–1945 (to KNR Donghae Nambu Line)
• Gang-an Line (Kōgan Line): Sinuiju–Gang-an, 1936–1945 (to KSR Kang'an Line)
• Gangdeok Line (Kōtoku Line): Nanam–Suseong, 1942–1945 (to KSR Kangdŏk Line)
• Gilhye Line (Kikkei Line): Kilju–Hyesanjin, 1933–1945 (to KSR Paektusan Ch'ŏngnyŏn Line)
• Gobi Line (Kōbi Line): Ripseongni–Gobi, 1934–1945 (to KSR Kobi Line)
• Gocham Colliery Line (Koten Tankō Line): Gocham–Sinmyeongcheon, ~1937–1945 (to KSR Koch'am Colliery Line)
• Gwangju Line (Kōjū Line): Songjeongni–Gwangju–Damyang, 1928–1945 (to KNR Gwangju Line (ko))
• Gyeomipo Line (Kenjiho Line): Hwanghae Hwangju–Gyeomipo, 1910–1945 (to KSR Songrim Line)
• Gyeongbu Line (Keifu Line): Gyeongseong–Busan, 1910–1945 (to KNR Gyeongbu Line)
• Gyeonggyeong Line (Keikyō Line): East Gyeongseong–Jecheon–Yeongju–Gyeongju 1942–1945 (to KNR Jungang Line)
• Gyeongin Line (Keijin Line): Gyeongseong–Incheon, 1910–1945 (to KNR Gyeongin Line)
• Gyeongjeon Nambu Line (Keizen Nanbu Line): Samnangjin–Masan–Jinju, 1931–1945 (to KNR Gyeongjeon Nambu Line → 1956 Jinju Line (ko))
• Gyeongjeon Seobu Line (Keizen Seibu Line): Songjeongni–Suncheon, 1936–1945 (to KNR Gyeongjeon Line)
• Gyeongui Line (Keigi Line): (Yongsan) Gyeongseong–Pyeongyang–Sinuiju, 1910–1945 (Pyeongyang–Sinuiju to KSR P'yŏngŭi Line, Pyeongyang–Kaesong–Panmun to KSR P'yŏngbu Line, Jangdan–Seoul to KNR Gyeongui Line; 1964 Yangsi–Namsi to KSR Paengma Line)
• Gyeongwon Line (Keigen Line): Yongsan (Gyeongseong)–Woljeongni–Gagok–Pyeonggang–Wonsan, 1911–1945 (Seoul–Woljeongni to KNR Gyeongwon Line, Gagok–Pyeonggang–Wonsan to KSR Kangwŏn Line)
• Hamgyeong Line (Kankyō Line): Wonsan–Kowon–Cheongjin–Sangsambong, 1941–1945 (Wonsan–Kowon to KSR Kangwŏn Line, Kowon–Cheongjin to KSR P'yŏngra Line, Cheongjin–Sambong to KSR Hambuk Line)
• Hoeryeong Colliery Line (Kainei Tankō Line): Hoeryeong–Gyerim–Singyerim, 1940–1945 (to KSR Hoeryŏng Colliery Line)
• Honam Line (Konan Line): Daejeon–Mokpo, 1914–1917 (to SMR Gyeongseong Honam Line); 1925–1945 (to KNR Honam Line)
• Husan Line (Kōsan Line): Husan–Yangmak, <1937–1945 (to KSR Husan Line)
• Hwanghae Main Line (Kōkai Main Line): Sariwon–Haseong, 1944–1945 (to KSR Hwanghae Ch'ŏngnyŏn Line)
• Hwasun Line (Washun Line): Hwasun–Bogam, 1942–1945 (to KNR Hwasun Line (ko)
• Jeokgi Line (Shakugi Line): Bujeon–Jeokgibudu, 1945 (to KNR Uam Line (ko))
• Jeolla Line (Zenra Line): Yeosu–Suncheon–Jeonju–Iri (Iksan), 1936–1945 (to KNR Jeolla Line)
• Jinhae Line (Chinkai Line): Changwon–Jinhae, 1926–1945 (to KNR Jinhae Line (ko))
• Joyang Colliery Line (Chōyō Tankō Line): Gaecheon–Joyang, 1932–1945 (to KSR Choyang Colliery Line)
• Judong Line (Sōtō Line): Gaya–Bujeon, 1944–1945 (to KNR Bujeon Line (ko)
• Junhyeok Line (Shunkaku Line): Gaecheon–Junhyeongni, ?–1945 (to KNR Chunhyŏk Line)
• Manpo Line (Manho Line): Suncheon–Gaecheon–Kanggye–Manpo, 1933–1945 (to KSR Manp'o Line)
• Masan Harbour Line (Masan Rinkō Line): Masan–Masanhang, 1910–1945 (to KNR Masan Harbour Line)
• Mijeon Line (Biden Line): Mijeon–Nakdonggang, 1945 (to KNR Mijeon Line (ko))
• Musan Line (Mosan Line): Komusan–Musan, 1944–1945 (to KSR Musan Line)
• Myeongdang Line (Meidō Line): Cheongnyong–Myeongdang, 1925–1945 (to KSR Myŏngdang Line)
• Osicheon Line (Goshisen Line): Daeocheon–Osicheon, 1937–1945 (to KSR Osich'ŏn Line)
• Pyeongnam Line (Heinan Line): Pyeongyang–Jinnampo, 1910–1945 (to KSR P'yŏngnam Line)
• Pyeongwon Line (Heigen Line): Seopo–Gowon, 1927–1945 (Seopo–Dongbungni to KSR Ryongsŏng Line, Dongbungni–Gowon to KSR P'yŏngwŏn Line)
• Pyeongyang Colliery Line (Heijō Tankō Line): Pyeongyang–Seunghori–Sinseongcheon, 1911–1945 (to KSR P'yŏngdŏk Line)
• Secheon Line (Seisen Line): Sinhakpo–Jungbong, 1929–1934, 1940–1945 to KSR Sech'ŏn Line)
• Seongpyeong Line (Jōhei Line): Tonggwan–Seongpyeong, 1929–1934, 1940–1945 (to KSR Sŏngp'yŏng Line)
• Dongpo Line (Tōho Line): Jongseon–Dongpo, 1929–1934, 1940–1945 (to KSR Tongp'o Line)
• Yangsi Line (Yōshi Line): Sinuiju–Yangsi–Namsi, 1940–1943 (to KSR Yangsi Line)
• Yongdeung Line (Ryōtō Line): Kujang–Yongdeung, 1934–1945 (to KSR Ryongam Line)
• Yonggang Line (Ryōkō Line): Jinjidong–Mayeong, <1937–1945 (to KSR Ryonggang Line)
• Yongmun Colliery Line (Ryōmon Tankō Line): Eoryong–Yongmun Colliery, 1941–1945 (to KSR Ryongmun Colliery Line)
• Yongsan Line (Yūsan Line): Yongsan–Seogang–Dangilli/Seogang–Gajwa, 1929–1945 (Yongsan–Seogang–Gajwa to KNR Yongsan Line, Seogang–Dangilli to KNR Dangilli Line (ko))

• Baengmu Line (Hakumo Line) (762 mm): Baegam–Musan, 1934–1945 (to KSR Paengmu Line)
• Dohae Line (Tokai Line) (762 mm): Haeju–Doseong, 1944–1945 (to KSR Paech'ŏn Line)
• Gaecheon Line (Keisen Line) (762 mm): Sinanju–Gaecheon, 1933–1945 (to KSR Kaech'ŏn Line)
• Haseong Line (Kasei Line) (762 mm): Sinwon–Haseong, 1944–1945 (to KSR Hasong Line)
• Jangyeon Line (Chōen Line) (762 mm): Sariwon–Sugyo–Jangyeon, 1944–1945 (to KSR Changyŏn Line)
• Jeongdo Line (Teitō Line) (762 mm): East Haeju–Jeongdo, 1944–1945 (to KSR Chŏngdo Line)
• Naeto Line (Naito Line) (762 mm): Hwasan–Naeto, 1944–1945 (to KSR Naet'o Line)
• Ongjin Line (Ōshin Line) (762 mm): Haeju–Ongjin, 1944–1945 (to KSR Ongjin Line)
• Sahae Line (Sakai Line) (762 mm): Samgang–Hwasan–Sinwon–East Haeju, 1944–1945 (to KSR Sahae Line; Sinwon–East Haeju –> Hwanghae Ch'ŏngnyŏn Line) 1958)