JNR Class C51

Class C51

Class C51 locomotive C51 5 at Ome Railway Park, May 2006

Type and origin Reference:[1] Power type Steam Builder Kisha Seizō, Mitsubishi, JNR - Hamamatsu Build date 1919-1928 Total produced 289

Specifications Configuration 4-6-2 Pacific Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Leading dia 940 mm (3 ft 1 in) Driver diameter 1,750 mm (5 ft 9 in) Trailing dia 940 mm (3 ft 1 in) Wheelbase 10 m (32 ft 10 in) Length 19.994 m (65 ft 7.2 in) Loco weight 69.6 t Loco & tender weight 113.8 t Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 8 t Water cap 17 m^3 (4,491 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 2.53 m^2 (27 sq ft) Boiler pressure 13 kg/cm^2 (180 lbf/in^2) Heating surface 127.4 m^2 (1,371 sq ft) Superheater:  • Heating area 41.4 m^2 (446 sq ft) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 53 cm × 66 cm (21 in × 26 in) Valve gear Walschaerts

Performance figures Maximum speed 99.1 km/h (61.6 mph)

The Class C51 (C51形) is a type of 4-6-2 steam locomotive built by Japanese National Railways (JNR). The C classification indicates three sets of driving wheels. The C51 introduced 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) diameter driving wheels to Japan. C51s raised the average speed on the Tōkaidō Main Line from 47.3 km/h (29.4 mph) to 55.3 km/h (34.4 mph). In 1930, a C51 hauled the first Tsubame (swallow) express, reducing travel time between Tokyo and Kōbe to 9 hours.^[1]

Preserved examples

As of 2012, four Class C51 locomotives were preserved at various locations.

• C51 5: At the Railway Museum in Saitama, Saitama (formerly preserved outdoors at the Ome Railway Park in Ome, Tokyo^[2]
• C51 44: At Akita Depot in Akita, Akita^[2]
• C51 85: At Kagoshima Depot in Kagoshima, Kagoshima^[2]
• C51 239: At the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum in Kyoto^[2]

See also

• Japan Railways locomotive numbering and classification

References

1. Naotaka Hirota Steam Locomotives of Japan (1972) Kodansha International Ltd. pp.57&96 ISBN 0-87011-185-X
2. Sasada, Masahiro (September 2012). 国鉄&JR保存車大全 [JNR & JR Preserved Rolling Stock Complete Guide]. Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. p. 132. ISBN 978-4863206175.