JNR Class C56

Last updated
Class C56
C56 160 steam locomotive 2018-05-05.jpg
C56 160 at Shin-Yamaguchi Station in May 2018
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Designer Hideo Shima
Builder
Build date1935-1939
Total produced164
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 •  Whyte 2-6-0 Mogul
 •  UIC 1′C h2
Gauge
  • 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
  • 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 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 effort 8,290 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

The Class C56 is a type of 2-6-0 steam locomotive designed by Hideo Shima and operated by the Japanese Government Railways (JGR) from 1935 to 1939, and later by its post-war successor Japanese National Railways (JNR).

Contents

A total of 164 locomotives were built between 1935 and 1939. During the Second World War, locomotives numbered C56 1 to C56 90 and C56 161 to C56 164 were sent to Southeast Asia, where some remained in service until the 1980s. The last C56 was retired in 1974, though several have been preserved and remain operational for heritage purposes.

History

Design

C56's tender with cut-outs to secure rear visibility Oigawa-C5644--modified.jpg
C56's tender with cut-outs to secure rear visibility

The Class C56 was a compact, lightweight design to operate on light-graded branch lines unsuitable for larger locomotives. Initially introduced in 1935, the C56 was based on the earlier C12 tank locomotive but adapted for longer distances by replacing its onboard water tank and coal bunker with a tender, which allowed for greater fuel and water capacity. [1]

Branch lines often lacked turntables, which posed operational challenges for tender locomotives. While the C12 could easily operate in reverse, the C56 required modifications to improve rear visibility. To address this, the tender was designed with cut-outs on the coal bunker’s sides, a distinctive design that facilitated reverse operation. Between 1935 and 1939, a total of 160 C56 locomotives were produced by various manufacturers, including Kawasaki, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Additionally, four units were built for the Karafuto Railway Bureau and one for a coal mine. [2]

Wartime service

740 (C56 49), one of the C56s that remained in Thailand after the war, crossing the River Kwai Bridge omkul C56 hmaayelkh 740 3.jpg
740 (C56 49), one of the C56s that remained in Thailand after the war, crossing the River Kwai Bridge

The lightweight and durable design of the C56 caught the attention of the military during the lead-up to the Second World War. In 1941, 90 of the 160 locomotives were requisitioned for service on the Thailand-Burma Railway (commonly known as the Death Railway). After the war, 46 surviving locomotives remained in Thailand and were incorporated into the State Railway of Thailand as the Class 700 (Nos. 701–746). A further 12 units were transferred to the Burma Railways, where they were designated Class C and assigned individual numbering. [1]

Post-War operations in Japan

C56 150, one of the 'Ponies of the Highlands', on the Koumi Line, 1971 Train on the Kuomi Line, Japan 1971 02.jpg
C56 150, one of the 'Ponies of the Highlands', on the Koumi Line, 1971

Of the 68 C56 locomotives that remained in Japan, many were redeployed across regions such as Hokuriku, Kyushu, and the Chugoku area, and operated on less-trafficked branch lines. While their limited power made them unsuitable for express passenger services, they handled local or mixed trains. Notably, from 1953 to 1959, C56 locomotives were used on the Kisuki Line to haul the Chidori rapid service. [2]

The C56 earned the nickname 'Pony' for its light, agile operation, especially during its scenic runs on the Koumi Line, where it was called the 'Pony of the Highlands'. Despite being gradually replaced by diesel locomotives, the C56 continued to operate freight trains on minor lines well into the 1970s, partly due to delays in introducing dedicated diesel replacements such as the DD16. The final C56 in regular service was retired in 1974 after operating on the Sanko Line. [2]

Preserved examples

C56 44 in April 2012 Japanese-national-railways-C56-44-20120403.jpg
C56 44 in April 2012

A number of Class C56 locomotives are preserved in Japan and Thailand as well as one in Myanmar. [1] C56 44 is maintained in operating condition by the Ōigawa Railway for use on main line steam specials, while the railway is planning to restore another C56 to an operational condition. [3] [4] C56 160 was mainline operational until 2018, when the limited space on the locomotive made it difficult for it to be fitted with the latest digital automatic train stop system. Since then, the locomotive remains operational at the Kyoto Railway Museum but does not operate on mainlines. [5] In Thailand, Nos. 713 and 715 (formerly C56 Nos. 15 and 17) remain operational.

Myanmar

Thailand

Japan

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 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.
  2. 1 2 3 Fujimoto, Kazuya (2001). 遙かなりC56 ポニーの詩情と宿命の行路. JTB Publishing. ISBN   978-4533040702.
  3. 1 2 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.
  4. ↑ "C56形 135号機 ※動態化整備中 | 大井川鐵道【公式】" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  5. ↑ "京都鉄道博物館でC56 160の『本線運転引退セレモニー』開催｜鉄道ニュース｜2018年5月28日掲載｜鉄道ファン・railf.jp". 鉄道ファン・railf.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  6. ↑ "The Death Railway Museum" on Travelfish website
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 รถจักรและรถพ่วง พัฒนาการที่ยิ่งใหญ่ จากอดีตสู่ปัจจุบัน[SRT Rolling Stock] (in Thai). Bangkok, Thailand: State Railway of Thailand. 2011. pp. 27–29. ISBN   978-974-9848-99-9.
  8. 1 2 Rotfaithai.Com C56 Steam Locomotive Gallery
  9. ↑ RailAsia blog
  10. ↑ McNeill, David Building a bridge to forgiveness October 9, 2005 The Japan Times Retrieved March 17, 2016
  11. ↑ Simone, Gianni A trip around the Yushukan, Japan’s font of discord July 28, 2014 The Japan Times Retrieved March 16, 2016
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ "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.
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