C12

I have a real 'soft spot' for all kinds of small tank engines and there are three Japanese designs I especially like. Here is one of them - the C12 class introduced in the 1930's and used on many lines around here in Kanto.

Often when I'm waiting on a steamy country station platform down here in leafy Chiba-ken I like to imagine the ghosts of these machines chugging towards me through the hot summer afternoons of yesteryear with a couple of very much 'not-airconditioned' coaches with all the windows open. Of couse as soon as a tunnel turned up we would slam those windows closed soon enough.

The last C12's operated in the 1960's but there are several well-preserved examples around including some in steam on the Moka railway. I must pay them a visit soon.

Thanks for this picture to Kurogane no Michi