Kurogane no Michi logo

JNR D61 Class Steam Locomotive

JNR steam locomotive D61 class
D61 4 Mar. 1974 Fukagawa Stn.(Offered by Hokuso Rail Club)

In order to expand the number of line sections where it could be used, the D51 was converted from a single-axle bogie to a two-axle bogie with a 2-8-4 axle arrangement as the D61. Between 1959 and 1961, 6 were built at the Hamamatsu and Koriyama factories of Japan National Railways. This became the last Japan National Railways (JNR) steam locomotive. Although not much changed in terms of appearance other than the change in the bogies, D61 2 through D61 6 had enclosed cabs (The cab had a door to make it look like the cab was enclosed, while the D51 had an open cab, with no doors that remained open. In Hokkaido and other cold regions, many locomotives had been modified with doors to protect them from the cold.), which seem to have been intended from the outset for use in Hokkaido. The last ones were used on the Rumoi Line until 1975. Currently, 1 of them is being statically preserved (refers to locomotives that are preserved in a way that does not allow them to be immediately operated, and/or that are simply on display) in Rumoi.

Data of D61 Class

Wheel arrangement 2-8-4 Driving Wheel Diameter(mm) 1,400
Loco. Weight in Working Order(t) 79.42 Maximum Axle Load(t) 13.76
Tender Weight in Working Order(t) 47.40 Boiler Pressure(kg/cm²) 15.00
Heating Surface Area(㎡) 221.5 Cylinder Dimensions(mm) 550×660
Grate Area(㎡) 3.27 Overall Length(mm) 19,780
Boiler Water Capacity (m³) 7.4 Total Height(mm) 3,980
Loading Capacity of Water(m³) 20.0 Locomotive Length(mm) 12,230
Fuel Capacity(t) 8.00 Tender Length(mm) 7,550
Weight on Driving Wheels(t) 54.70 Boiler Center Height(mm) 2,500