The JNR Class C55 is a 4-6-2 Pacific-type steam locomotive operated by the Japanese National Railways from 1935 to 1975.
History[]
The C55s were used mainly as passenger locomotives and were used around the Honshu, Kyushu and Hokkaido regions. Following in the veins of the Americans, C55 locomotives C55 20 to C55 40 were constructed as streamlined locomotives and were the last Japanese locomotives to feature spoked driving wheels. The locomotives were retired in 1975. Around the same time the C55s were introduced, Nine locomotives were built for Taiwan where they would later be classified as Class CT250s and were retired in 1982.
Four C55s, namely C55 1, C55 46 (renumbered C55 53), C55 50 and C55 52, are preserved at various locations around Japan. Two Taiwanese CT250 class locomotives, CT251 and CT259 are also preserved.
A fifth sample, C55 49, was preserved, but was scrapped in 1996 due to extensive salt corrosion to the boiler; only one of the driving wheels remains, plinthed on a stone foundation with the C55 49 badge on it.
The locomotives are popularly known as Shigogo (C55 in Japanese) among railfans.
Preservation[]
The following Class C55 locomotives have been preserved:
| Image | Number | Manufacturer | Date manufactured | Serial number | Date withdrawn | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
C55 1 | Kawasaki Sharyō | 29 March 1935 | 1538 | 28 March 1979 | Kyoto Railway Museum, Kyoto, Japan | Displayed in roundhouse, occasionally wheeled onto turntable; operational at museum until 1978 |
|
C55 46 | 22 February 1937 | 1759 | 6 December 1971 | Wakakusa Park, Ōita, Kyushu, Japan | Displayed under shelter, cab open for public viewing; wearing number plates of C55 53 | |
|
C55 50 | Kisha Seizō | 8 March 1937 | 1458 | 18 November 1974 | Otaru City General Museum, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan | Displayed outdoors; cosmetically restored 2020 |
|
C55 52 | 14 March 1937 | 1460 | 17 February 1975 | Tourist SL Hall, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan | Displayed under shelter; cab open for public viewing | |
|
CT251 | Kawasaki Sharyō | 1935 | Unknown | October 1982 | Tainan City Sports Park, Tainan, Taiwan | Ex-TRA C55 1, displayed under shelter behind DT652; number plates initially swapped with CT259. Cosmetically restored 2020. |
|
CT259 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | 1938 | Takao Railway Museum, Kaohsiung, Taiwan | Ex-TRA C55 9, displayed outdoors; number plates initially swapped with CT251. Occasionally fitted with smoke bombs and moved by a switcher to simulate locomotive working, with an working whistle operated by compressed air. |
The following Class C55 locomotives were preserved in the past but have since been scrapped:
| Number | Manufacturer | Date manufactured | Serial number | Date withdrawn | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C55 49 | Kisha Seizō | 3 March 1937 | 1457 | 25 March 1972 | North Breakwater Dome, Wakkanai, Hokkaido, Japan | Displayed outdoors; scrapped October 1996 due to salt corrosion |