Japanese Steam Locomotive Museum Kyoto August 2007
2nd September 2007

Photos taken at the Japanese Steam Locomotive Museum Kyoto August 2007.

Umekoji Roundhouse in Kyoto used to be a major engine depot on the heavily operated Tokaido main line, but now serves as a steam engine museum. With a large steam collection covering almost all classes built just after Japan's modern steam era had begun, the museum offers a good oppotunity to learn about Japanese steam engine heritage.
Reasonably priced at 400Yen (<�2.00) for adults an 200yen for children. Plus a supplement for the thrice daily 1Km run.

The museum holds 16 locomotives of which 7 are advertised as steam-able at present.

Thanks to the members of the Japanese railway society from where I sourced the information about the locomotives

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8630 of a class built between 1914 and 1929 sits half in and half out of the section of the roundhouse used for maintenance
8630 of a class built between 1914 and 1929 sits half in and half out of the section of the roundhouse used for maintenance
 A poster advertising steam hauled excursion trains. Unfortunately all in Japanese
A poster advertising steam hauled excursion trains. Unfortunately all in Japanese
 A poster advertising steam hauled excursion trains. Unfortunately all in Japanese
A poster advertising steam hauled excursion trains. Unfortunately all in Japanese
 B2010 built in 1946 one of the steamable engines at the museum
B2010 built in 1946 one of the steamable engines at the museum
C5345 and C51239 inside the shed Type C51, 69.6 tonnes, 4-6-2 built by Kisha in 1927. It was the first domestic Pacific and, as the second standardized engine, displaced all of the US made 8900 class, which was the first Pacific in Japan, from express-hauling duties on the Tokaido main line. 289 of this type were built by 1923. Type C53, 4-6-2, 81 tonnes, three-cylinder built by Kisha in 1928. One of 97 in the class built by Kisha (44) and Kawasaki (53) between 1928 and1930. C53 45 entered service in November 1928 and worked on semi-fasts and expresses on the Tokaido and Sanyo Main Lines. It was progressively allocated to Hamamatsu, Hiroshima, Maibara, Miyahara, Nagoya, Ogori, Shimonoseki and Shizuoka. It finished service at Umekoji in June 1950. Others were withdrawn between 1948 and 1950.
C5345 and C51239 inside the shed Type C51, 69.6 tonnes, 4-6-2 built by Kisha in 1927. It was the first domestic Pacific and, as the second standardized engine, displaced all of the US made 8900 class, which was the first Pacific in Japan, from express-hauling duties on the Tokaido main line. 289 of this type were built by 1923. Type C53, 4-6-2, 81 tonnes, three-cylinder built by Kisha in 1928. One of 97 in the class built by Kisha (44) and Kawasaki (53) between 1928 and1930. C53 45 entered service in November 1928 and worked on semi-fasts and expresses on the Tokaido and Sanyo Main Lines. It was progressively allocated to Hamamatsu, Hiroshima, Maibara, Miyahara, Nagoya, Ogori, Shimonoseki and Shizuoka. It finished service at Umekoji in June 1950. Others were withdrawn between 1948 and 1950.
 C59 164. Type C59, 4-6-2, 80.3 tonnes, built by Hitachi in 1946. Class first introduced in 1941 as the forth generation standardized modern engine following D51, C57 and C58. 100 C59s were built before the war and 73 more were additionally manufactured between 1946 and 1947 after the war.
C59 164. Type C59, 4-6-2, 80.3 tonnes, built by Hitachi in 1946. Class first introduced in 1941 as the forth generation standardized modern engine following D51, C57 and C58. 100 C59s were built before the war and 73 more were additionally manufactured between 1946 and 1947 after the war.
 Class DE10 DE101118 used as the shunter at the museum. The DE10 is a class of Japanese C-B wheel arrangement diesel-hydraulic locomotives. 707 locomotives were built between 1966 and 1976.
Class DE10 DE101118 used as the shunter at the museum. The DE10 is a class of Japanese C-B wheel arrangement diesel-hydraulic locomotives. 707 locomotives were built between 1966 and 1976.
 D52 468. Type D52, 2-8-2, 85.1 tonnes, built by Mitsubishi in 1946. Six others are static exhibits around Japan. The D52 class was the most powerful steam in Japan. This type was first produced during war time (in 1943) and 285 were built in total.
D52 468. Type D52, 2-8-2, 85.1 tonnes, built by Mitsubishi in 1946. Six others are static exhibits around Japan. The D52 class was the most powerful steam in Japan. This type was first produced during war time (in 1943) and 285 were built in total.
Enthusiasts are the same the world over....
Enthusiasts are the same the world over....
 Live steam models advertised for sale.
Live steam models advertised for sale.
 Sunlight and smoke in the roundhouse
Sunlight and smoke in the roundhouse
 The museum includes this device for practicing your firing technique
The museum includes this device for practicing your firing technique
The smoke deflector of the engine that pulled the royal train
The smoke deflector of the engine that pulled the royal train
 The view of the yard from the footplate
The view of the yard from the footplate
 The view of the yard from the footplate
The view of the yard from the footplate
 Type 8620, 2-6-0, 48.8 tonnes, built by Kisha in 1914 on the turnrable - note the hard hat of the man in the control room
Type 8620, 2-6-0, 48.8 tonnes, built by Kisha in 1914 on the turnrable - note the hard hat of the man in the control room
Type 8620, no 8630 2-6-0, 48.8 tonnes, built by Kisha in 1914, on the 3 times daily 1km run
Type 8620, no 8630 2-6-0, 48.8 tonnes, built by Kisha in 1914, on the 3 times daily 1km run
 Type 8620, no 8630 2-6-0, 48.8 tonnes, built by Kisha in 1914.
Type 8620, no 8630 2-6-0, 48.8 tonnes, built by Kisha in 1914.
 Type 8620,no 8630 2-6-0, 48.8 tonnes, built by Kisha in 1914.
Type 8620,no 8630 2-6-0, 48.8 tonnes, built by Kisha in 1914.
 Type 8620,no 8630 2-6-0, 48.8 tonnes, built by Kisha in 1914 taken from inside the shed
Type 8620,no 8630 2-6-0, 48.8 tonnes, built by Kisha in 1914 taken from inside the shed
Type C51, 69.6 tonnes, 4-6-2 built by Kisha in 1927. It was the first domestic Pacific and, as the second standardized engine, displaced all of the US made 8900 class, which was the first Pacific in Japan, from express-hauling duties on the Tokaido main line. 289 of this type were built by 1923.
Type C51, 69.6 tonnes, 4-6-2 built by Kisha in 1927. It was the first domestic Pacific and, as the second standardized engine, displaced all of the US made 8900 class, which was the first Pacific in Japan, from express-hauling duties on the Tokaido main line. 289 of this type were built by 1923.
 Type C58, 2-6-2, 58.7 tonns, built between 1938 and 1947 by Kawasaki and Kisha. The class was developed as a standardized general purpose engine. Duties were both passenger and freight train hauling on local light lines, including work on the Yamanote Freight Line in Tokyo. 427 C58s were produced.
Type C58, 2-6-2, 58.7 tonns, built between 1938 and 1947 by Kawasaki and Kisha. The class was developed as a standardized general purpose engine. Duties were both passenger and freight train hauling on local light lines, including work on the Yamanote Freight Line in Tokyo. 427 C58s were produced.
 Type C61, 4-6-4, 79.5 tonnes, built by Mitsubishi in 1948 as Japan's first Hudson. One of 33 of a class introduced between 1947 and 1953. They combined a D51 boiler with elements from the C57 class. New wheel arrangement reduced the weight on the traction axles of the class, thus allowing the engine to serve lighter lines. C61 2 is in JR West's operational fleet.
Type C61, 4-6-4, 79.5 tonnes, built by Mitsubishi in 1948 as Japan's first Hudson. One of 33 of a class introduced between 1947 and 1953. They combined a D51 boiler with elements from the C57 class. New wheel arrangement reduced the weight on the traction axles of the class, thus allowing the engine to serve lighter lines. C61 2 is in JR West's operational fleet.
Type D50, 78.1 tonnes, 2-8-2 built by Hitachi in 1926. Formed basis for the D51 type. It was the first domestic Mikado and became a second generation standard like the C51. Its duties were mainly freight hauling.
Type D50, 78.1 tonnes, 2-8-2 built by Hitachi in 1926. Formed basis for the D51 type. It was the first domestic Mikado and became a second generation standard like the C51. Its duties were mainly freight hauling.
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