Four preserved in Japan, two preserved in Taiwan, remainder scrapped
The Class C55 (C55形) is a type of 4-6-2steam locomotive built in Japan from 1935 to 1937. A total of 62 Class C55 locomotives were built and designed by Hideo Shima.[1]
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.
The Class C55 was designed in the 1930s as a successor to the Class C51 operated on routes connecting mid-sized cities (mainline successor to them was the Class C53). 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.[2]
C55 1 preserved at the Umekoji Museum (later Kyoto Railway Museum) in June 2012
C55 50 preserved at the Otaru Museum in July 2007
Preserved C55 52 in March 2017
Preserved C55 53 in August 1994.jpg)
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CT251 preserved at Tainan City Sports Park
CT259 preserved at Takao Railway Museum
Japanese Government Railway Steam Locomotives
