Steam locootive C57 66 is preserved just along the JR East Keihin Tohoku lineDo you have any spot you want to check out? For example, you often pass by that spot by train, but you have never been there. Iriarai-nishi Park in Tokyo was one such spot to me. I often passed by there by the JR East's Keihin-Tohoku line train, but I didn't visit there until recently.
What is Iriarai-nishi Park like? It's a public park for children to learn about transportation. For that purpose, several vehicles are exhibited in the park. Unit 66 of the steam locomotive Class C57 (hereafter C57 66) is one such exhibit. It's preserved just along the Keihin-Tohoku line track in a "semi-dynamic state". It means that the driving wheels can be rotated by compressed air. In fact, this special "wheel rotating show" is held twice a day. Needless to say, it's a popular event among local children.
For your information, the Class C57 is a 4-6-2 (Whyte notation) type steam locomotive that has a tender attached. It was developed by the Ministry of Railways in 1937 for pulling passenger trains. It is 20.28 meters long, and weighs 67.5 tons. The driving wheel diameter is 1,750 millimeters. A total of 201 units were built by Kawasaki-sharyo and the other companies. The Class C57 is called "the lady" among rail-fans. I agree with it, because its design is beautiful. For example, the boiler is slender, in contrast, the driving wheels are large. Please check out my previous post on the Class C57 as well, if you have time.
