China Railways RM-1118 was an example of this class.
The China Railway's Ren Ming Class (lit. "people") were 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotives built by CSR Sifang Co Ltd between 1958 and 1966. Many parts were designed to be interchangeable with the JS class 2-8-2 "Mikados".
The RM class were used for passenger service, but occasionally tackled freight duties as well - jobs that were suited for dual-purpose/mixed-traffic engines. But the RMs' early demise was inevitable as train weights outgrew their capabilities but it could have been so different. The class, numbered RM 1001 to 1258, entered service in 1958 when they were built, and a total of 258 were built before production ceased in 1966. They were gradually displaced from service in the 1970s by engines who were more suited to pulling heavier trains. They were all retired in the early 1980s for they were eventually supplanted by more powerful steam and diesel locomotives on the Chinese rail system. Most have been scrapped, but two examples have been preserved.
Survivors[]
There are 2 locomotives that are preserved while the rest were scrapped between 1991 and 1998 :
- RM-1001 is preserved at the China Railway Museum.
- RM-1247 is preserved at the Shenyang Railway Museum.
Trivia[]
- These locomotives are examples of Chinese locomotives with smoke deflectors, and red driving wheels, a trademark for modern Chinese steam.
- RM-1163 was preserved in a park in Hyōgo, Japan but only the front end remains.
- Yong Bao a character from Thomas & Friends is based on this class. However his design sheet shows that he was moulded after RM-1118 and RM-1247.