C56 31
{{Short description|Preserved C56 class locomotive}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name= C56 31
| powertype= Steam
| gauge={{Track gauge|1067mm|lk=on}} (JGR)
{{Track gauge|1000mm|lk=on}} (IJA, SRT)
| driverdiameter = 1,400 mm
| image= File:Japanese-national-railways-C56-31-20110622.jpg
| caption= C56 31 at the Yushukan in June 2011
| whytetype= {{whyte|2-6-0}}
| designer=
| length= 14,325 mm
| locoweight=
| locotenderweight= 65.53 t
| builder= Nippon Sharyo
| builddate= 1936
| maxspeed =
| tractiveeffort= 8,290 kg
|operator=Japanese Government Railways
Imperial Japanese Army
State Railway of Thailand
|retiredate=1977
|currentowner=Yūshūkan Museum, Tokyo
|disposition=Static display
}}
C56 31 was the 31st of the Class C56 steam locomotives produced by Japanese Government Railways (JGR). It was manufactured by Nippon Sharyo in 1936 and was operated on the Nanao Line in Ishikawa Prefecture before the war. Royal Library [http://royallibrary.sakura.ne.jp/ww2/photo/C56_31.html 泰緬鉄道C56型蒸気機関車31号車] Retrieved March 22, 2016 {{in lang|ja}} C56 31 was the first locomotive to run on the Thai-Burma Railway, also known as the Death Railway. It operated there during the war, after which it was used in Thailand. After the war it was brought back to Japan and restored, and is now displayed in the Yūshūkan, the museum attached to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. It is displayed without reference to the deaths during the construction of the railway, which are estimated at around 100,000. McNeill, David [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2005/10/09/to-be-sorted/building-a-bridge-to-forgiveness/ Building a bridge to forgiveness October 9, 2005] The Japan Times Retrieved March 17, 2016 [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2013/07/27/commentary/yasukuni-shrine-ground-zero-for-unrepentant-wartime-remembrance/ Yasukuni Shrine: ground zero for unrepentant wartime remembrance July 27, 2013] The Japan Times Retrieved March 16, 2016 Lim, Robyn [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2006/05/17/commentary/taro-aso-has-a-history-problem-with-australia/ Taro Aso has a history problem with Australia May 17, 2006] The Japan Times Retrieved March 16, 2016 Simone, Gianni [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2014/07/28/issues/trip-around-yushukan-japans-font-discord/ A trip around the Yushukan, Japan’s font of discord July 28, 2014] The Japan Times Retrieved March 16, 2016
Wartime use
In 1942, C56 31 was shipped to Thailand. American POWs of Japan website [http://americanpowsofjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/08/nippon-sharyo.html Nippon Sharyo August 6, 2011] Retrieved March 23, 2016 It was one of 90 Japanese steam locomotives sent south to regions occupied by Japan. It was used in the opening ceremony for the Thai-Burma railway and was the first locomotive to officially run on the railway.
Postwar use and return to Japan
After the war it was used by the State Railway of Thailand. It was due to be retired in 1977, when plans were made to return it to Japan by an association of Southern Army Field Railway Corps officials. In 1979, it was returned to Japan.
Display at Yūshūkan museum
It has been displayed at the Yūshūkan museum at Yasukuni Shrine since 1979, where there is a volunteer group dedicated to preserving it. [https://www.facebook.com/c5631locomotive/timeline Burma Railway JNR Class C56-31 Steam Locomotive Preservation Association (泰緬鉄道―C5631機関車保存会) Facebook page] Retrieved March 17, 2016 {{in lang|ja}} The fact that it is displayed without references to the atrocities carried out on the Thai-Burma railway has attracted criticism, particularly from people from Australia and the US. A Social Nomad [http://asocialnomad.com/thailand/hellfire-pass/ Hellfire Pass and the Death Railway] Retrieved March 23, 2016 Flanagan, Richard [https://books.google.com/books?id=57VZAwAAQBAJ&dq=death+railway+train+c5631&pg=PT35 The Narrow Road to the Deep North] Retrieved March 23, 2016 Flanagan, Martin [http://www.theage.com.au/comment/dark-chapters-in-japanese-history-20140228-33r7i.html Dark Chapters in Japanese History March 1, 2014] The Age Retrieved March 23, 2016 Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1405176136 Richard's Reviews > The Narrow Road to the Deep North February 16, 2016] Retrieved March 23, 2016