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JNR Class C57 No. C57 180

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Japanese National Railways No. C57 180 is a Class C57 4-6-2 Pacific-type steam locomotive built for the Japanese National Railways by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in September 1938. It is one of two Class C57 locomotives with mainline certification, the other being C57 1.

History[]

C57 180 was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; the locomotive was completed on 8 August 1946 at their Mihara Plant, with a serial number of 513. Entering service on 8 August 1946, C57 180 was assigned to the Niigata Depot and used to pull fast passenger trains; it remained their for much of its service life. In February 1958, C57 180 received a new Hitachi-manufactured boiler. The locomotive was transferred to Niitsu in 1963. C57 180 pulled its last passenger train on 30 September 1969 and was struck off JNR's register on 8 November 1969.

Following withdrawal, C57 180 was delivered to Niitsu Daiichi Elementary School on 12 October 1969 and was preserved next to the school's gate; a temporary track was laid for the locomotive, which ran to the school under its own power and was welcomed onto its grounds by school staff. The engineer in charge of this operation stated it was "scary" due to a lack of ballast. In 1964, a roof was constructed over C57 180, as well as a staircase allowing access into C57 180's cab; iron fencing was erected in 1972, preventing free cab access. During this period, C57 180 was maintained by a group known as the Niitsu City Steam Locomotive Preservation Association, made up of current and former employees of Niitsu Depot, Niitsu residents and students from the elementary school.

Inspired the success of D51 498's excursion operations, as well as C58 363, an association, aptly titled the Association to Operate C57 180, was formed in 1997 by Niitsu residents, with a ¥200 million cost of restoration and half of that covered by Niitsu citizens. With this campaign successful, the East Japan Railway Company formally selected C57 180 for restoration and rebuilt the locomotive at Ōmiya Works starting March 1998. Modifications included the installation of more powerful LP403 headlights and a specially-designed train antenna and bunker oil tank; restoration was complete on 25 March 1999 and the locomotive restored to JR East's register. A commemorative plaque was installed to the locomotive by students of the elementary school. C57 180 pulled the first Banetsu Monogatari service on 29 April 1999, although it has also been used to pull other services as well.

Today, C57 180 is based at Niitsu General Rolling Stock Center and is the designated locomotive for the Banetsu Monogatari service.

Trivia[]

  • C57 180 was featured in the 1968 film Koi Ni Mezameru Koro (lit. "When I Fall In Love") pulling a train on the Ban'etsu West Line.
Notable steam locomotives of the Japanese National Railways
Class 10 17
Class 110 110
Class 150 150
Class 160 165
Class 230 233
Class 400 403
Class 860 860
Class 1275 1275
Class 1290 1292 Zenkō
Class 2100 2109
Class 7100 7101 Benkei • 7105 Yoshitsune • 7106 Shizuka
Class 7150 7150 Taishō
Class 8620 8620 • 8630 • 58654
Class 9600 9608 • 9633 • 49671
Class 9850 9856
Class B20 B20 10
Class C10 C10 8
Class C11 C11 1 • C11 64 • C11 123 • C11 171 • C11 190 • C11 207 • C11 227 • C11 312 • C11 325
Class C12 C12 66 • C12 164
Class C51 C51 5 • C51 239
Class C53 C53 43 • C53 45
Class C55 C55 1
Class C56 C56 31 • C56 44 • C56 135 • C56 160
Class C57 C57 1 • C57 135 • C57 180
Class C58 C58 1 • C58 239 • C58 363
Class C59 C59 1 • C59 164
Class C61 C61 2 • C61 20
Class C62 C62 2 • C62 3 • C62 17 • C62 48
Class D50 D50 140
Class D51 D51 1 • D51 146 • D51 200 • D51 498 • D51 827
Class D52 D52 1 • D52 468
Class E10 E10 2
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