JNR Class D52

JNR Class D52
D52 72 preserved in Gotemba, Shizuoka in April 2012.
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Hitachi, JNR's Hamamatsu Works, JNR's Takatori Works, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kisha Seizō, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nippon Sharyo
Build date	1943 – 1946
Total produced	285
Classification	2-8-2
Dimensions	69 ft 3 in × Unknown × 13 ft 1 in
Rail gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Service information
Years in-service	1943 – 1972
Running numbers	D52 1 – D52 152, D52 198 – D52 238, D52 333 – D52 384, D52 393 – D52 423, D52 443 – D52 468
Nickname(s)	Degoni
Disposition details
Preserved	7 (none operational)
Number scrapped	278

The JNR Class D52 is a 2-8-2 Mikado-type steam locomotive built for the JNR from 1943 to 1946.

History

The D52s were designed as a powerful domestically-produced freight locomotive for use during wartime situations; the locomotive was designed to be even more powerful than its contemporary, the Class D51. The increase in power was due to the increased size of the D52's boiler when compared to the D51.

285 locomotives were produced from 1943 to 1946; twenty of these locomotives would later be converted to Class D62 fast freight locomotives, of which no members of the latter class were preserved. The locomotives were retired in 1972.

Preservation

The following seven Class D52 locomotives have been preserved:

Number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Serial number	Date withdrawn	Location	Notes
D52 1	Hamamatsu Works	19 December 1943	89	11 July 1966	Hiroshima Freight Rolling Stock Depot, Hiroshima, Japan	Lead member of class, preserved outdoors; public viewing available on depot open days
D52 70	Kawasaki Sharyō	29 April 1944	2974	8 August 1968	Yamakitatetsudo Park, Yamakita, Kanagawa, Japan	Displayed partially under shelter and partially outdoors within fence
D52 72		26 May 1944	2976		Gotemba Station Poppo Square, Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan	Displayed outdoors; cab open for public viewing
D52 136	Kisha Seizō	31 August 1944	2436	23 May 1973	Takazawa Park, Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan	Displayed under shelter
D52 235	Kawasaki Sharyō	31 January 1946	3108		Kanuma Park, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan	Displayed outdoors
D52 403	Hitachi	18 March 1945	1970	8 August 1968	Hiratsuka City Culture Center Park, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan	Displayed under shelter; cab open for public viewing through request
D52 468	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries	19 February 1946	502	28 March 1979	Kyoto Railway Museum, Kyoto, Japan	Last Class D52 built; displayed in roundhouse, occasionally wheeled onto turntable

Trivia

• The locomotives are popularly known as Degoni (D52 in Japanese) among railfans.

Gallery

References

• Wikipedia.org