Inpaku
The Niseko Express

The Niseko Express

The C62 types were activated on the Jyoban main line in 1940 and the Tokaido main line in 1950. They pulled "Tubame", "Sakura", "Hato", "Hayabusa", "Hatukari", and so on, which were the names of the limited express trains of the Japan National Railway. As each line in other parts of Japan was electrified, the C62's were moved up to Hokkaido, but eventually even there they were replaced by electric units, until finally there was only one line with steam locomotives left, and thus the "Niseko Express", which ran between Otaru and Hakodate in Hokkaido, and it became the last representative of these magnificent ladies remaining in active service.

The Dash of "The Swallow"

Hakodate main line (Jan, 1971) C62+C62

When I took this picture, it was in a severe snowstorm, as you can see in the photograph. The sound of the approaching C62 could be heard, but the locomotive itself couldn't be seen lost in the blinding snow. I remember that I pressed the shutter button when I sensed that it was approximately correct, relying only on my instinct. The C62 is a very fast engine. The bird tubame is considered one of the fastest flying birds in Japan. And thus "Tubame" ( swallow) became the design emblem which was placed on the front of the locomotive.
(click on each image for an enlargement)

A Precious Photo (C62-2 + C62-3)

Hakodate main line (June, 1971) C62+C62

Originally C62-2 and C62-3 were the first two engines assigned to this line. And then C62-15 and C62-16 were added from the Kure line to the locomotive pool to pull "Niseko Express" in the winter of 1970. And thus there were then four of the C62 type locomotives in service pulling the "Niseko Express". Every Japanese rail fan wanted to see No.2 and No.3 coupled together in a "doubleheader," but with the D51 types also in the same pool, it was not so easy to get a picture of just the two C62's. And of course the most favored combination, at least for us rail fans, is for C62-2 to be in front, with its symbol design, and for C62-3 to be in the back. But I was resolute, and finally I got it.

An Explosive Sound

Hakodate main line (Jan, 1971) C62+C62

When the C62 types in doubleheader passed before me it sounded like a jet plane going by, it was so loud. And then it was gone.

C62-2 Pulling a Commuter Train

Hakodate main line (Jan, 1970) C62

The C62-2 pulled not only a straight-through, non-stop express, but also a commuter train, a "local" which stopped at every station on the line.

The "Niseko Express" Running in the Sunlight in Early Summer

Hakodate main line (May, 1971) D51+C62

With D51-70 pulling, and a C62 pushing, the "Niseko Express" approaches a mountain pass.

The C62 Type in Doubleheader

Hakodate main line (Jan, 1971) C62+C62

The C62-16, which was added from the Kure line, leading the "Niseko Express". This is a summer photograph. Compare it with the one with all the snow.

Running Easily

Hakodate main line (May, 1971) C62+C62

The "Niseko Express" running easily in the early summer wind. It is stepping high like a thoroughbred horse.

The Swallow Emblem of C62-2 and the Boiler Number Plate

Let me explain about the origin of the swallow symbol design. This emblem was added to the smoke-deflector of C62-2 only, although C62-2 is not the only engine which pulled the "Niseko Express" on the Hakodate main line. This engine was built May 29, 1948 . The emblem was added when it underwent major repair in 1951. This swallow emblem became very popular because all of the engines that pulled the limited express "Tubame" on the Tokaido main line had them. In Japanese "Tubame" means swallow. With the Kyoto electrification in 1956, the C62-2 finished its glorious mission on the Tokaido main line. It was taken into the shops and a new boiler was put in it at the "Takatori" factory in Kobe, and then C62-2 went to Hokkaido on January 20, 1957.

There was a lot of discussion as to whether the swallow emblem should be removed at that time. It was finally decided that the "Tubame" emblem on the front of locomotive C62-2 did not necessarily mean that the locomotive was still pulling "Tubame" trains, but that "Tubame" was one of the emblems of the Japan National Railway, and with this understanding they decided to not to remove the "Tubame" emblem from in front of the locomotive. The five remaining C62 type engines, that fulfilled such a big role, are now kept in the following places in Japan: C62-1 and C62-2 are on display in the city of Kyoto. C62-3 is kept in Hokkaido. C62-17 is kept at Higashiyama Zoo in the city of Nagoya. After all, they were the "emblems" of the Japan National Railway.
The big C62 types only appeared toward the end of the steam locomotive era on the Japanese National Railway. They were really the star actors, and are very suitable for representing all of the steam locomotives.

Photos by Yoshihiko Kawaguchi

PhotoFYoshihiko Kawaguchi

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