The JNR Class C51 (originally the JGR Class 18900) is a 4-6-2 Pacific-type steam locomotive built for the JNR from 1923 to 1931.
History[]
The C51s, originally known as the Class 18900, were introduced as a medium-sized passenger tender locomotive. The locomotive was designed by Kiichi Asakura under Jirō Shimayasu, the former being the designer of the Class 9600 locomotives. 289 locomotives were produced from 1919 to 1928 as a sort of follow up to the Class 8900 locomotives. Locomotive C51 133 was known to have been involved in an accident known as the Matsukawa derailment in 1949, while locomotive C51 61 received some streamlining for a short time. The locomotives were retired in 1966, with the last locomotive in service, C51 251, retired.
Four locomotives have been preserved.
A variety of derivatives were produced for use on other foreign railroads such as the China Railways as the Class SL9; none of these derivatives have been preserved.
The locomotives are popularly known as Shigoichi (C51 in Japanese) among railfans.
Preservation[]
The following Class C51 locomotives have been preserved:
| Number | Manufacturer | Date manufactured | Serial number | Date withdrawn | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C51 5 | Hamamatsu Works | 24 January 1920 | 5 | 28 February 1962 | The Railway Museum, Saitama, Japan | Displayed indoors; formerly located at the Ōme Railway Park |
| C51 44 | Kisha Seizō | 20 June 1921 | 501 | 7 September 1955 | Akita General Rolling Stock Center, Akita, Japan | Displayed outdoors, sectioned to show inner workings; public viewing available on depot open days |
| C51 85 | January 1923 | 661 | 5 November 1956 | Kagoshima Rolling Stock Center, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan | ||
| C51 239 | 19 March 1927 | 936 | 26 October 1962 | Kyoto Railway Museum, Kyoto, Japan | Displayed in roundhouse, occasionally wheeled onto turntable; initially stationed at Niigata Railway Academy where it was sectioned to show its inner workings |
The following Class C51 locomotives were preserved in the past but have since been scrapped:
| Number | Manufacturer | Date manufactured | Serial number | Date withdrawn | Last location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C51 62 | Kisha Seizō | May 1922 | 587 | 1 November 1954 | Moji Rolling Stock Depot, Kitakyushu, Kyushu, Japan | Used for training, sectioned to show inner workings; scrapped c.1972 |