Kato - 2022-1 - Locomotive, Steam, 2-6-2, C12 - Japanese National Railways - C12 51

Specific Item Information: This is the smallest tank locomotive among JR steam locomotives made in Japan. This is a light axle steam engine for simply made railroad lines which became the origin for C56. 282 of the C12 cars were manufactured since 1932. The small engine ran as a mascot in an engine depot or as a star on local lines.

C12 was deployed to such lines as Ashio, Akechi, Kakogawa, Takasago, Uwajima, Takachiho, and Takamori lines across Japan and proved very useful as a switcher in station yards and engine depots. It was in service in Otaru Chikko engine depot, etc. along with C62 and D51.

Model Information: Kato produces model locomotives of Japanese Prototypes that come in various shapes and sizes.

Road Name History: Japanese National Railways (日本国有鉄道 Nihon Kokuyū Tetsudō), abbreviated Kokutetsu (国鉄) or "JNR", was the business entity that operated Japan's national railway network from 1949 to 1987.
By 1987, JNR's debt was over ¥27 trillion ($280 billion at 2009 exchange rates) and the company was spending ¥147 for every ¥100 earned. By an act of the Diet of Japan, on April 1, 1987 JNR was privatized and divided into seven railway companies, six passenger and one freight, collectively called the Japan Railways Group or JR Group.

From Wikipedia

Brand/Importer Information: Kato Precision Railroad Models (関水金属株式会社 Sekisui Kinzoku Kabushikigaisha) is a Japanese manufacturer of model railroad equipment in N and HO scales. The Tokyo-based company manufactures models based on Japanese prototypes (such as the Shinkansen bullet train) for the Japanese market, North American prototypes for the North American market and European high-speed trains for European market.
The Kato (pronounced kah-toe) model railroad companies were founded by Yuji Kato, father of current president Hiroshi Kato, of the parent company Sekisui Kinzoku Co., Ltd.

The design and distribution of models for the North American market are handled by their U.S. subsidiary, Kato USA, located in Schaumburg, Illinois.
The design of special models for the European market is handled for some of them by their partner, Lemke, whereas the general distribution of Kato products in Europe is handled by NOCH; both companies are located in Germany.
As a result, some Kato European models are sold as Kato Lemke and others as Kato (alone).