JNR Class C55

The Class C55 is a type of 4-6-2 steam locomotive built in Japan from 1935 to 1937. A total of 62 Class C55 locomotives were built and designed by Hideo Shima.
Nine were supplied to the Taiwan Government Railway, where they became class CT250 after the nationalist takeover of Taiwan in 1945 and remained in service until October 1982. 21 locomotives numbered C55 20 - C55 40 were built as streamliners during the 1930s and 40s.

Design

The Class C55 was designed in the 1930s as a successor to the Class C51 operated on routes connecting mid-sized cities. Production of the Class C54, originally intended for this role, was discontinued in 1931 after just 17 locomotives due to various design flaws. The C55's design incorporated many lessons learned from the C54's shortcomings, particularly in the structure of the main frame. Twenty C55 locomotives were built with a streamlined design, and they were the last Japanese locomotives to be equipped with driving wheels with spokes. The 63rd C55 was given a new class, the Class C57, due to changes in the design.

Preserved examples

Japan

C55 1: preserved at the Kyoto Railway MuseumC55 50: preserved at the Otaru Museum in Otaru, HokkaidoC55 52: preserved in front of Yoshimatsu Station in Kagoshima PrefectureC55 53: preserved at Wakakusa Park in Oita, Oita

Taiwan

CT251: preserved at Tainan City Sports ParkCT259: preserved at the Takao Railway Museum