Inpaku
C59161

The Heroes of Kure Line.

On the Kure line many large Japanese steam locomotives of the C59 type and the C62 type, used primarily for passenger train operation, were concentrated. The serial number of the locomotive in the title photograph [above] is C59-161. This photograph was taken in March, 1968.

C62 41

Kure line (Mar, 1968 ) C62-41.

She is running slowly through the countryside of the Seto Inland Sea.
(click on each image for an enlargement)

C62 23

Kure line (May, 1969) C62-23.

It was March, 1968 that I first came to the Kure line. I visited the Kure line three times after that. Each time that I visited, there were fewer and fewer of them. Finally, I witnessed the lonely sight of a single locomotive, one of the last ones left after her sisters gradually became a piece of unwanted scrap. My heart was lifted as I watched these locomotives, which proudly pulled a limited express on the Tokaido main line and the Sanyo main line, and here they seemed free and happy as they rolled along in the countryside of the Seto Inland Sea.

The First Train

Kure Line (Jan, 1970) C59-164.

I stayed up all night, dozing on a bench of the station in order to be sure of getting pictures of the first train. But the wooden glazed door didn't close properly, and a cold wind blew in without mercy through the gap. There was no inn near the station, so I was very cold and miserable. I was awakened in the early morning by a kind station employee, and he let me into the station. I still remember the warmth of the charcoal hibachi which we shared to warm our hands and the nice chat we had.

Hiroshima Visit

Sanyo main line, Hiroshima (May, 1969) C62-37

This steamer was in the Hiroshima station in 1965, and apparently it was still there as late as in 1969, as I can see the station name of Hiroshima in the background of this photo.

C59 162

Kure line (May, 1969) C59-162

In 1969 the Kure line had the last three of the C59 Types units (No.161, No.162, No.164) in all of Japan. Today, engine 161 is kept as a museum piece in the city of Hiroshima, and engine 164 is on display in the city of Kyoto.

C62 15

Kure Line (Jan, 1970) C62-15

In October, 1970, C62-15 was retired from service on the Kure line. It was moved, together with C62-16, to Hokkaido in December, 1970. And in Hokkaido they were used to pull the express "Niseko."

C62 48

Kure line (May, 1969) C62-48

The type C62 is the biggest locomotive ever used for passenger service in our country. The Japanese type C62 is admired by railroad fans all around the world.

C62 47

Kure Line (Mar, 1968) C62-47

There is neither a wall nor a fence along the tracks. The rails are located just beside the houses. It was a peaceful and tranquil scene.

The Yard Locomotive At Work

Kure line (May, 1969) C50-82

The C50 type is a smaller type and is used mainly in the yards to move freight cars and to build trains.

Express "Aki" C62-17

Kure line (Jan, 1970) C62-17

This locomotive, C62-17, holds the speed record for steam locomotives: 129 km/h [80 mph]. This record was recorded on the Tokaido main line on December 15, 1954.

PhotoFYoshihiko Kawaguchi

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