Class C57 “C57 1″

The class C57 was a 4-6-2 steam locomotive developed and built by Japanese National Railways (JNR) from 1937 to 1947. This locomotive was the very first one using hole style driving wheels. This design can increase the strength of the wheels. Total of 201 units was built for Japan, and an additional 14 units were built for Taiwan Railways. The class of locomotive was withdrawn from regular passenger service in December 1975.

日本國鐵(JNR)C57型為軸配置4-6-2的蒸汽機車，並於1937-1947年間生產製造。這型機車為日本最早使用圓孔型動輪的機車，這樣的設計可以強化動輪強度，防止其變形造成危險。C57型總共製造201輛，另外還有額外給台灣鐵路製造的14輛。這些亞幹線型旅客機的足跡可說是踏遍全日本，從北海道到九州都有其蹤跡，優秀的性能也讓C57 135號機成為全日本最後的蒸汽動力客運牽引機。

This particular locomotive was the first unit built on March 22nd, 1937. Given number “C57 1″. She has been restored and started the excursion service since August 1st, 1979. This excursion service named “SLやまぐち号" and operated from Shin-Yamaguchi Station to Tsuwano Station.

這裡呈現的是C57 1號機，為C57家族中的第一號。C57 1運氣很好，除了因為經歷過多次接近廢車卻能一次次復活而被稱之為"不死鳥"以外，在1979年8月1日就重回路線，擔任山口線的"SLやまぐち号"觀光列車牽引機，至今已經40載。