JNR Class C55

The JNR Class C55 is a 4-6-2 Pacific-type steam locomotive built for the JNR from 1935 to 1937.
==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. The locomotives were retired in 1975. Nine locomotives were later transferred to Taiwan where they saw service there 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. Taiwanese CT250 class locomotive CT259 is 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Image	Number	Manufacturer 	Date manufactured	Serial number	Date withdrawn 	Location 	Notes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 1978 	Kyoto Railway Museum, Kyoto, Japan 	Displayed in roundhouse, occasionally wheeled onto turntable; operational at museum until 1978
 	C55 46	Kawasaki Sharyō 	22 February 1937 	1759 	6 December 1971 	Tourist SL Hall, Kagoshima, 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	Kisha Seizō 	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 C51 1, displayed under shelter behind DT652; number plates initially swapped with CT259
 	CT259 	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries	1938 	Unknown 	October 1982 	Takao Railway Museum, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 	Ex-TRA C51 9, displayed outdoors; number plates initially swapped with CT251
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Number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Serial number	Date withdrawn	Location 	Notes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
==Gallery==
*Gallery
==References==
*Wikipedia.org
Category:Steam locomotives
Category:4-6-2 steam locomotives
Category:4-6-2 locomotives
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Hitachi locomotives
Category:Kawasaki locomotives
Category:Kisha Seizō locomotives
Category:Mitsubishi locomotives
Category:Tender locomotives
Category:Narrow-gauge steam locomotives
Category:Locomotives