J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "Japanese Class C-62" Signed lower right. Original Oil on Paper.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands First Day Cover for the 55c Japanese C-62 Class 4-6-4 Hudson stamp issued August 23, 1996.

Class C62s were the largest and most popular Japanese steam passenger locomotive. Forty-nine Class C62s were manufactured from 1948 to 1949 to pull Japan's express trains. They were a remarkable product of Japanese industry and ingenuity -- constructed from wartime Class D52 freight locomotives. The locomotive and tender weighed more than 150 tons. The engine rated at 30,644 pounds of tractive force with a boiler pressure limit of 228 pounds. Class C62s ran on the 3 ft. 6 in. gauge lines of Japanese National Railways and displayed colorful, circular headboards with emblems and names such as Tsubeme (Swallow). They also pulled passenger trains named Dove, Peace and Mount Fuji. Class C62s spent their final days hauling express trains on the island of Hokkaido between the ferry port of Hakodate and capital, Sapporo. Retired in 1971, Class C62s were the ultimate development of Japanese mainline steam passenger locomotives.

Image Size: 10 x 13.25 in.
Overall Size: 13.5 x 17.75 in.
Unframed.
(B15424)

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