JNR Class C51

Class C51

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

Type and origin Reference: 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 dia. 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 Total weight 113.8 t Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 8 t Water cap 17 m3 (4,491 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 2.53 m2 (27 sq ft) Boiler pressure 13 kg/cm2 (180 lbf/in2) Heating surface 127.4 m2 (1,371 sq ft) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 41.4 m2 (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.

To alleviate a severe motive power shortage, sixteen JNR Class C51 locomotives, C51 8, 28, 30, 33 - 35, 88, 95, 96, 116 ,130 - 132, 173, 175, and 178, all equipped with a Sumiyama feedwater heater, were converted to standard gauge and sent to the Central China Railway in 1939, where they operated primarily between Nanjing and Shanghai. After the Liberation of China and the establishment of the People's Republic, these became China Railway class ㄆㄒ9 (PX9) in 1951, and reclassified as class SL9 (勝利9, Shènglì, "victory") in 1959.

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