The Class C56 is a type of 2-6-0 steam locomotive built by the Japanese Government Railways (JGR) from 1935 to 1939, and later operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR). They were numbered C56 1-C56 164 a total of 164 were built from 1935 to 1939 locomotives numbered C56 1-C56 90 and C56 161-C56 164 were sent to other countries in Asia during the Second World War. The locomotives were retired in 1974. They were designed by Hideo Shima.

Class C56
C56 160 on a steam special in February 2012
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerHideo Shima
Builder
Build date1935-1939
Total produced164
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-6-0 Mogul
 • UIC1′C h2
Gauge
  • 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
  • 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) metre gauge
    (SRT / Burma Railway)
Driver dia.1,400 mm (4 ft 7 in)
Length14,325 mm (47 ft 0 in)
Total weight65.53 t (64.50 long tons; 72.23 short tons)
Performance figures
Maximum speed75 km/h (47 mph)
Tractive effort8,290 kg (18,280 lb)
Career
Operators
Number in class164
NumbersC56 1-C56 164
NicknamesShigoroku, Pony of the Plateau
Retired1974
Disposition34 preserved (including 2 operational units) remainder scrapped

History

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A total of 164 Class C56 locomotives were built between 1935 and 1939.[1]

Locomotives C56 1 to 90 and 161 to 164 were sent to Asian countries occupied by Japan during World War II.[1] The locomotives are popularly known as Shigoroku (C56 in Japanese) and Pony of the Plateau among railfans.

Preserved examples

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A number of Class C56 locomotives are preserved in Japan and Thailand as well as one in Myanmar.[2] C56 44 is maintained in operating condition by the Ōigawa Railway for use on main line steam specials.[1]

Myanmar

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Thailand

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Japan

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Inoue, Kōichi (1999). 国鉄機関車辞典 [JNR Locomotive Encyclopedia] (in Japanese). Japan: Sankaido. pp. 36–37. ISBN 4-381-10338-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Sasada, Masahiro (25 November 2014). 国鉄&JR保存車大全2015-2016 [JNR & JR Preserved Rolling Stock Complete Guide 2015-2016] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. p. 128. ISBN 978-4863209282.
  3. ^ "The Death Railway Museum" on Travelfish website
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j รถจักรและรถพ่วง พัฒนาการที่ยิ่งใหญ่ จากอดีตสู่ปัจจุบัน [SRT Rolling Stock] (in Thai). Bangkok, Thailand: State Railway of Thailand. 2011. pp. 27–29. ISBN 978-974-9848-99-9.
  5. ^ a b Rotfaithai.Com C56 Steam Locomotive Gallery
  6. ^ RailAsia blog
  7. ^ McNeill, David Building a bridge to forgiveness October 9, 2005 The Japan Times Retrieved March 17, 2016
  8. ^ Simone, Gianni A trip around the Yushukan, Japan’s font of discord July 28, 2014 The Japan Times Retrieved March 16, 2016
  9. ^ "ありがとうC56本線運転引退セレモニーを開催!(京都鉄道博物館):JR西日本". www.westjr.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  10. ^ "さよなら79歳のSL「ポニー」 地球を35周走ったC56形160号機、本線から引退(写真24枚)". 乗りものニュース (in Japanese). 2018-05-28. Retrieved 2024-10-19.