JGR Class 5500 explained

Class 5500
Powertype:Steam
Leadingdiameter:730mm
Driverdiameter:1.4m (04.6feet)
Wheelbase:6.578m (21.581feet)
Hatnote:Reference:[1]
Whytetype:4-4-0 Eight-wheeler
Length:13.91m (45.64feet)
Locoweight:31.65 t
Locotenderweight:55.85 t
Fueltype:Coal
Fuelcap:3.46 t
Watercap:9.10NaN0
Builder:Beyer, Peacock & Company
Builddate:1893-
Totalproduction:72
Boilerpressure:12kg/cm2
Firearea:1.330NaN0
Totalsurface:730NaN0
Cylindercount:Two
Cylindersize:40.6x
Valvegear:Stephenson
Tractiveeffort:5990kg

The JGR Class 5500 was a type of 4-4-0 steam locomotive used for 60 years on Japanese Government Railways. The locomotives were built by Beyer, Peacock & Company in England. Sulfur was added to the forged steel used for the cylinders. The cylinders were set in a slightly canted position and were used without replacement for the entire life of the locomotive. Japan was unable to produce cylinders of comparable durability. In 1929, ten were converted to tank locomotives and reclassified as Class B10.

One Class 5500 locomotive, 5540, is preserved at the Ome Railway Park.[1] A Class B10 locomotive, B104, is preserved at the Kominato Railway headquarters.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Naotaka Hirota Steam Locomotives of Japan (1972) Kodansha International Ltd. pp.25,27&94