Educational wooden model of a steam locomotive made in the 1890's
Dimensions (2.2 x 0.6 x 1.0 m, Reduced scale, 1:4)

The actual locomotive is assumed to be a 2B tender-type (later 5300 type) made by BEYER PEACOCK & CO., LTD imported from England. This passenger locomotive is a classical example used during the middle of the Meiji era, and had no tender coupled to it.
In 1893 Japan was at its infancy of railroad technology. The construction of the first locomotive was a result of using imported parts and foreign employment.
The model itself was put together with great accuracy and detail. This is an indication of the enthusiasm for know how regarding the locomotive concept even during the formation of a wooden model.
In 1897 (Meiji era, 30) when Kyoto Imperial University was founded, the first Departments established were Mechanical and Civil Engineering. The following year, a lecture by Mori Hikozou on railroad technology (high-tech for this era) initiated a course known as "a locomotive". This model was one of the educational models purchased, and it is presumed that it was used in the lecture amongst other things to understand the engineering concepts.