JNR Class C59


The Class C59 is a type of 4-6-2 steam locomotive built by Japanese National Railways. 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.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.