JGR Class 5500

JGR Class 5500
5540 in November 2008
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Beyer, Peacock & Company, Neilson & Company, Sharp, Stewart and Company
Build date	1893 – 1898
Total produced	72 (5500) + 11 (5630) + 6 (5650) + 10 (B1) (total 99)
Classification	4-4-0
Dimensions	14,021 mm × 2,286 mm × 3,671 mm
Rail gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Valve gear	Stephenson
Cylinders	2
Boiler pressure	11.3 kg/cm²
Fuel type	Coal
Heating area	80.3 m²
Service information
Years in-service	1893 – 1966
Running numbers	5500 – 5571, 5630 – 5640, 5650 – 5655, 3 – 12 (Tobu)
Disposition details
Preserved	7 (includes 1 derivative)
Number operational	None
Number scrapped	92

The JGR Class 5500 and the related Class 5630, 5650 (originally the Nippon Railway Class Pbt2/4, Nbt2/4 and SSbt2/4 respectively) and Tobu Railway Class B1 and B4 are 4-4-0 American-type steam locomotives operated by the Japanese Government Railways from 1893 to 1966.

History

The Class 5500 was an early steam locomotive operated in Japan. The type was ordered by the Nippon Railway, of which ninety-nine locomotives were built by Beyer, Peacock and Company, Neilson & Company and Sharp, Stewart and Company from 1922 to 1925 and assigned to various different railroads around Japan and were mainly used for passenger services. Little is known about their service lives. Apart from some minor detail differences all locomotives are very similar to each other.

Ten Class 5500 locomotives were converted into tank locomotives and named the Class B10, the specifics of which will be detailed on its article. Some Class 5500s were also used by the Tobu Railway, named the Class B1; a number of Class 5650s were also used, as the Class B4. The last locomotives were retired by about 1965. Seven locomotives survive today, including one Class B10; all are on static display with no plans to return any to operation.

Three Class 5500 locomotives survive, along with three Class 5650 locomotives. No Class 5630 locomotives have been preserved.

Preservation

The following Class 5500 locomotives have been preserved:

Number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Serial number	Date withdrawn	Location	Notes
5540	Beyer, Peacock and Company	November 1897	3911	October 1962	Ōme Railway Park, Ōme, Tokyo, Japan	Displayed under shelter; park temporarily closed from 2023 to end-2025
5652	Sharp, Stewart and Company	1898	4435	September 1965	Chiba, Japan	Displayed as Tobu Railway 37, privately owned, exact location unknown; formerly preserved at Rikkyo High School
5654			4437	July 1966	Freight Railway Museum, Inabe, Mie, Japan	Displayed as Tobu Railway 39; displayed under shelter coupled to various freight cars
5655			4438	June 1966	Community Square, Miyashiro, Saitama, Japan	Displayed as Tobu Railway 40; displayed outdoors, cab open for public viewing
Tobu Railway 5	Beyer, Peacock and Company		4028	1965	Tobu Museum, Tokyo, Japan	Displayed indoors; wheels operated using electric motor during scheduled shows
Tobu Railway 6			4029			Displayed outdoors within fence

Gallery

Tobu B1 No. 5 on display in Tobu Museum on June 1, 2023 (Photo by Alzaar Ahmed)

Tobu B1 No. 6 on display at Tobu Museum's SL Square on June 1, 2023 (Photo by Alzaar Ahmed)

No. 5 in Tatebayashi (It can be seen on the left side of No.30)

Tobu Railway B4 No. 40 near Tatebayashi locomotive depot, June 26, 1966

Tobu Railway No. 40 on display on January 31, 2010

Tobu Railways No. 37 near Tatebayashi locomotive depot, June 26, 1966

No. 5 as Tobu Museum's mascot

References

Sobu Railway steam locomotives
Tank	1 • A2 • 2 • 3
Tender	4

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