The JNR Class C63 was a 2-6-2
steam locomotive proposed by
Japanese National Railways
The abbreviated JNR or , was the business entity that operated Japan's national railway network from 1949 to 1987.
Network Railways
As of June 1, 1949, the date of establishment of JNR, it operated of narrow gauge () railways in all 46 pref ...
(JNR). Designed in 1956 by
Hideo Shima
was a Japanese engineer and the driving force behind the building of the first bullet train (Shinkansen).
Shima was born in Osaka in 1901, and educated at the Tokyo Imperial University, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. His father was p ...
it was based on the
Class C58. But none of these locomotives were ever actually built.
Background
The planning of the JNR Class C63 began around 1955.
Electrification
Electrification is the process of powering by electricity and, in many contexts, the introduction of such power by changing over from an earlier power source.
The broad meaning of the term, such as in the history of technology, economic histor ...
for the locomotive developed slowly due to financial difficulties at JNR. The company was not experienced with
diesel locomotives, and it lacked test facilities for non-steam engines. Development of the new diesel locomotive was proposed because existing models were aging and travel demand was increasing.
Cancellation
In 1956, the design drawing was completed. A prototype was to be manufactured, and a manufacturing order was to be issued.
In 1958, JNR, in its "Power Modernization Plan", planned to eliminate the steam locomotive in 15 years from fiscal year 1960. JNR authorized the implementation of the plan and completed it in 1975. Since JNR had converted to the policy of abolishing the steam locomotive, the company decided to cancel the C63.
At the
Koriyama Plant (currently the Koriyama General Vehicle Center), a 1/5-scale live steam replica was produced based on the design documents, mainly to demonstrate the steam locomotive technology to the young staff; the miniature is currently used during special events. In addition to models being exhibited on the first floor of
Koriyama Station, models are also displayed in the exhibition room of the
Kyoto Railway Museum
The (formerly the until 2016) is a railway museum in Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The original Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum opened in 1972, but was expanded and modernized in 2016, becoming the Kyoto Railway Museum.
The museum is owned by We ...
, alongside the number plate of C63 1 painted in vermilion.
See also
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Japan Railways locomotive numbering and classification
This page explains the numbering and classification schemes for locomotives employed by the Japanese Government Railways, the Japanese National Railways and the Japan Railways Group.
Steam locomotives
Pre-nationalization
Prior to the natio ...
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JNR Class C12
The Class C12 is a type of 2-6-2T steam locomotive built by the Japanese Government Railways and the Japanese National Railways from 1932 to 1947. A total of 282 Class C12 locomotives were built and designed by Hideo Shima .
Service outside J ...
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JNR Class C58
The Class C58 is a 2-6-2 wheel arrangement steam locomotive type built by the Japanese Government Railways (JGR) and Japanese National Railways (JNR) from 1938 to 1947. A total of 427 Class C58 locomotives were built and designed by Hideo Shima ...
References
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{{Japanloco
1067 mm gauge locomotives of Japan
Steam locomotives of Japan
2-6-2 locomotives