My top 5 favourite Japanese Steam Locomotives

[The Birmingham train spotter]

Number 5 : JNR Class C10 

The JNR Class C10 is a Type of 2-6-4T Steam Locomotive build by Japanese government railway from 1930. A total of 23 engines where built and where withdrawn by 1962. Many where scrapped but fortunately One has survived C10 8 on the ōigawa railway in the Shizukoa prefecture in Japan 

 

Number 4: JNR Class D51 

The JNR class D51 was based upon the JNR Class D50 and was introduced in 1923. During WW2 the imperial Japanese army made many modifications to the D51 that include running boards,smoke defectors and tender coal bunkers. 1,115 D51 locomotives where built and became the largest class built in Japan  and where gained the nick name Namekuji -gata ( Slug form) for their shape. Each Locomotive was designed by Hideo Shima.After WW2 The D51 was put on freight work until 1960. 174 where preserved and but many are static models

 

Number 3 : JNR Class C12

The JNR Class C12 a 2-6-2T Steam engine by Japanese government railway and Japanese national Railway from 1932 to 1947. Surprisingly many JNR Class C12 locomotives saw service outside of Japan in Taiwan,North China,Vietnam and even Indonesia. 282 where built and 26 are preserved

 

Number 2: JGR Class 860

The JGR Class 860 was the first steam locomotive built in Japan. Many parts where from Foreign manufacturers and was built in 1893.Sadly non remain to this day but it's cool to see how Japanese steam locomotives have evolved over time

 

Number 1: JGR Class 8620 

The JGR Class 8620 is a 2-6-0 steam locomotive built in japan from 1914 to 1929.A total of 672 where built and later used by the Imperial Taiwan railway from 1918 to 1928. 20 have remained and in popular media One appears in the popular Anime demon slayer 

[Kamome]

In no particular order, these are my SL picks purely on aesthetics. All tenders.

 

C62

C59

C56

9600

Early D51 ナメクジ形 (slug type)

[lighthouse]

My favorite steam locomotives are:

 

C62

D52

C58

D51

C55

[Kiha66]

I'd have to say 

9600

C59

D51

C62

C11

[SL-san]

My top 5 favourite SLs are:

C12

8620

C57 (why has no one favoured this?)

E10

D51