JNR Class C59

The Class C59 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 C59 could haul 17 passenger cars. World War II limited the use of C59s as express trains, a function for which they were designed. C59s were transferred to Kyushu after electrification of the trunk lines after the war.[1]They were numbered C59 1-C59 132,C59 156-C59 196 . 47 out of 173 were rebuilt to Class C60 Hudson’s between 1953 and 1961 those being C59 27/C59 62/C59 59/C59 41/C59 54/C59 21/C59 49/C59 61/C59 46/C59 23/C59 58/C59 34/C59 65/C59 69/ C59 4/C59 50/C59 86/C59 78/C59 100/C59 16/C59 70/C59 48/C59 17/C59 38/C59 76/C59 40/C59 47/C59 10/C59 91/C59 18/C59 60/C59 81/C59 68/C59 26/C59 13/C59 39/C59 5/C59 89/C59 98/C59 130/C59 178/C59 128/C59 168/C59 101/C59 113/C59 165/C59 173 were rebuilt into 47 Class C60 Hudson Rebuilds between 1953 and 1961 at the JNR Hamamatsu Works and Koriyama Works . In 1970 the Locomotives were retired. Only 3 are preserved . C59 1 is preserved at the Kyushu Railway History Museum on display . C59 164 is preserved at the Kyoto Railway Museum . C59 161 is preserved at the Hiroshima Children’s Museum .

Class C59
Preserved type C59 locomotive
Type and origin Reference:[1] Power type Steam Builder Kisha Seizō, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company, Hitachi Build date 1941-1947 Total produced 173 (47 rebuilt to Class C60 Hudson Rebuilds 1953-1961 by the JNR)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-2 Pacific 47 (Rebuilt to Class C60 4-6-4 Hudson Rebuild) Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Leading dia. 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) Driver dia. 1,750 mm (5 ft 9 in) Trailing dia. 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) Wheelbase 10.02 m (32 ft 10 in) Length 21.575 m (70 ft 9.4 in) Loco weight 79.75 t Total weight 134.63 t Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 10 t Water cap 25 m^3 (6,604 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 3.27 m^2 (35 sq ft) Boiler pressure 16 kg/cm^2 (230 lbf/in^2) Heating surface 136.8 m^2 (1,473 sq ft) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 80.9 m^2 (871 sq ft) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 52 cm × 66 cm (20 in × 26 in) Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures Maximum speed 100 Km/h 63 Mph
Career Numbers C59 1-C59 132,C59 156-C59 196 Retired 1970 Disposition C59 1 C59 161 and C59 164 preserved remainder scrapped

See also

• Japan Railways locomotive numbering and classification
• JNR Class C60 Hudson’s
• JNR Class C61 Hudson’s
• JNR Class C62 Hudson’s

References

1. Naotaka Hirota Steam Locomotives of Japan (1972) Kodansha International Ltd. pp.60&97 ISBN 0-87011-185-X