JGR Class 5500

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Number 	Manufacturer 	Date manufactured	Serial number	Date withdrawn	Location 	Notes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 	Sharp, Stewart and Company	1898 	4437 	July 1966 	Freight Railway Museum, Inabe, Mie, Japan 	Displayed as Tobu Railway 39; displayed under shelter coupled to various freight cars
5655 	Sharp, Stewart and Company	1898 	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	1898 	4028 	1965 	Tobu Museum, Tokyo, Japan 	Displayed indoors; wheels operated using electric motor during scheduled shows
Tobu Railway 6	Beyer, Peacock and Company	1898 	4029 	1965 	Tobu Museum, Tokyo, Japan 	Displayed outdoors within fence
==Gallery==
TOBU MUSEUM SL.jpg|Tobu B1 No. 5 on display in Tobu Museum on June 1, 2023 (Photo by Alzaar Ahmed)
SL SQUARE LOCOMOTIVE.jpg|Tobu B1 No. 6 on display at Tobu Museum's SL Square on June 1, 2023 (Photo by Alzaar Ahmed)
File:TOBU SHEDS.jpg|No. 5 in Tatebayashi (It can be seen on the left side of No.30)
File:B4NO40.webp|Tobu Railway B4 No. 40 near Tatebayashi locomotive depot, June 26, 1966
File:1024px-Tobu-No.40-Steam-Locomotive.jpg|Tobu Railway No. 40 on display on January 31, 2010
File:0aa6fb41559ce8aa017599017d7d4df2.webp|Tobu Railways No. 37 near Tatebayashi locomotive depot, June 26, 1966
File:1966-Tobu-031.jpg
File:F-66q61C 400x400.jpg|No. 5 as Tobu Museum's mascot
File:Tobu-No5SteamLocomotive-a.jpg
File:JGR 5540 2023.jpg
==References==
Category:Locomotives
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Steam locomotives
Category:4-4-0 locomotives
Category:4-4-0 steam locomotives
Category:Beyer locomotives
Category:Neilson locomotives
Category:Sharp Stewart locomotives
Category:Tobu trains
Category:Sobu trains
Category:Sangi trains
Category:Nippon Railway trains