CIÉ 141 Class

Last updated

Córas Iompair Éireann 141 class
B181 colbert.JPG
Iarnród Éireann 175 at Colbert station, Limerick, 2006
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
Builder General Motors Electro Motive Division, La Grange, Illinois, USA
Order number700438–700474
Serial number27467–57503
ModelJL8
Build date1962
Total produced37
Specifications
Configuration:
   AAR B-B
   UIC Bo′Bo′
Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Wheel diameter40 in (1,016 mm)
Length13.42 m (44 ft 0 in)
Loco weight67 tonnes (66 long tons; 74 short tons)
Prime mover EMD 8-567CR
Engine type8-cylinder Two-stroke diesel
Aspiration Roots-type supercharger
Traction motors Axle-hung, nose-suspended, 4 off
Cylinders 8
TransmissionD25 DC generator
DC traction motors
Train brakes Air & Vacuum
Performance figures
Maximum speed123 km/h (76 mph)
Power output960  hp (720 kW)
Tractive effort 197  kN (44,000 lbf) starting
Career
Operators
Class 141 class
NumbersB141–B177 (later 141–177)
Withdrawn1993–2011
Disposition5 preserved, 4 Stored, 28 scrapped

The CIE 141 Class locomotives were built in 1962 by General Motors Electro Motive Division (EMD) in the United States. Numbered B141 to B177, they were an updated version of the 121 Class locomotives, mechanically very similar but with cabs at each end. [1] [2]

Contents

They are EMD model JL8 (J = Double Ended Cabs, L = Lightweight Frame, 8= 8-cylinder 567 engine) and although originally fitted with an EMD 8-567CR engine of 960 horsepower (720 kW), all were later fitted with 645 type "power packs" (piston & liner assemblies) for parts standardisation. The original power output was kept for reliability reasons. They weighed 67 tonnes and had a maximum speed of 123 km/h (76 mph).

Many of these locomotives were later rebuilt with a GM 8-645E engine of 1,100 horsepower (820 kW) (as used in the re-engined Class C locomotives), though some have since had the original engine refitted. The locomotives were delivered in the CIE livery of brown/black/white.

Service

Following crew training trials between Inchicore and Monasterevin (passenger trains), Kildare (goods trains), and Hazelhatch (light engines), the class appeared on main line trials from Amiens Street (Connolly) to Drogheda, and Westland Row (Pearse) to Arklow on Tuesday 4 December 1962, entering traffic on the Dublin to Cork main line four days later. The locomotives were fitted for multiple working and double-headed the 10:40 Dublin to Cork train and the return Cork to Dublin at 15:30. These were the heaviest trains at that time. From Monday 10 December 1962 one locomotive was allocated to the Dublin–Belfast Enterprise service.

In later years, regular passenger duties included trains on the Rosslare to Waterford/Limerick lines, until they were superseded by railcars on these duties.

The remaining locomotives, nos. B141, B142, 144, 146, 147, 152, 162, 171, 175 and 177, were withdrawn in February 2010. However, 171 was reinstated for a short time, and was confined to pilot duties in the Dublin area.

Accidents and incidents

Preservation

B142, Whitehead B142, Whitehead.JPG
B142, Whitehead

Railway Preservation Society of Ireland

The first of the 141 class locomotives to enter preservation was class leader 141, which was purchased by the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland with sponsorship from Murphy Models in February 2010. The sale of the locomotive was assisted by Phil Verster, the CME of Iarnród Éireann. As part of the sale, the locomotive received a repaint into its original Black & Tan livery as B141 at Inchicore workshops, where it was held in store.

Later in February 2010, locomotive 142 was purchased privately by a member of the RPSI and given to the Society. This locomotive was also repainted into its original Black & Tan livery as B142 at Inchicore, and ran an enthusiasts' special on Wednesday 24 February 2010 with B141. Following this the locomotive was moved to the RPSI's site at Whitehead, where it saw regular service as a yard shunter. Bodywork repairs, including cab floors and sides were completed in 2020/21, a full engine rebuild during 2021/22 after failure due to cylinder liner o-ring failure, and full repaint to original livery in 2023.

In January 2011, the RPSI newsletter Five Foot Three announced that the RPSI had approached IÉ with the intentions of purchasing a third 141 class locomotive. At the time IÉ had three locomotives - numbers 162, 171, and 175 - still in service and agreed to make the best of the three locomotives available for preservation. Accordingly, locomotive 175 was selected for future preservation. In 2014 the locomotive was bought by the RPSI.

In July 2016, the two stored GM 141 locomotives owned by RPSI (B141 & 175) were brought out of the sidings in Inchicore, and moved to RPSI's shed at Connolly station for storage. The move happened on Tuesday 19 July, hauled by 071. Assessment of their condition took place afterwards and restoration to mainline running is planned. 175 was originally earmarked as a source of spares for B141, B142 and 121-class B134, but it may also be refurbished.

Irish Traction Group

146, Downpatrick 146, Downpatrick.JPG
146, Downpatrick

The Irish Traction Group (ITG) purchased locomotive 146 in May 2010. [5] This locomotive, withdrawn in March 2010, remained in storage at Inchicore until November of that year, when it was transported by Allelys to the Downpatrick and County Down Railway [6] The locomotive is in active service and is a useful member of the D&CDR fleet. Later in November 2010, the ITG purchased locomotive 152. [7] This locomotive had been employed on work trains in the Mayo area until withdrawn in February 2010 following a brake failure at Ballyhaunis. Although repairs were started by IÉ, work was stopped after some preliminary dismantling work had been carried out in both cabs. It was sold as a source of spare parts for 124, 146, and 190. It is currently in storage at Moyasta Junction on the West Clare Railway. It is currently covered by a tarpaulin with the intention it will be moved to a new heritage railway when one becomes available.

Preservation Status

NumberOwnerStatusLiveryNotes
B141 RPSI Stored, serviceableBlack & Tan (1962)Connolly Shed, Dublin
B142 RPSI In traffic, currently used as a shunterBlack & Tan (1962)Whitehead
146 ITG In trafficIR (1987) DCDR, Downpatrick
152 ITG StoredIE (1994) West Clare Railway
175 RPSI StoredIE (1994)Connolly Shed, Dublin - stored (originally bought as a spares source)

645 Engine Fitted: B141, B142, 145, 148, 149, 151, 163, 164, 166, 170 and 173.

567 Engine Refitted: 146, 152, 167 and 175.

In fiction

Model

Sligo Quay working in 1983 Railway at Sligo Quay - geograph.org.uk - 1025494.jpg
Sligo Quay working in 1983

Related Research Articles

Although prototype diesel locomotives ran in Britain before World War II, the railways of both the Republic and Northern Ireland changed over much more rapidly from steam to diesel traction than those in Britain, due to the island's limited coal reserves and an ageing steam locomotive fleet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CIÉ 113 Class</span>

The Córas Iompair Éireann 113 class locomotives were the first mainline diesel locomotives used in Ireland, being built in January 1950 and October 1951 by CIÉ at their Inchicore Works. They were fitted with Sulzer 6LDA28 engines of 915 hp (682 kW), with four Metropolitan-Vickers MV157 traction motors. They were of Bo-Bo wheel arrangement, weighed 80 tonnes and had a maximum speed of 90 km/h (56 mph). They were initially numbered 1100–1101 in the steam locomotive number series, but were subsequently renumbered B113–B114 in 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CIÉ 101 Class</span>

The Córas Iompair Éireann 101 Class locomotives, numbered B101-B112, were built in 1956 by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company. They were fitted with Sulzer 6LDA28 engines of 960 hp (720 kW), with four Metropolitan-Vickers MV137 traction motors. They were of A1A-A1A wheel arrangement, weighed 75 tonnes and had a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CIÉ 201 Class</span>

The Córas Iompair Éireann 201 Class was a class of 34 diesel electric locomotives manufactured by Metropolitan-Vickers at their Dukinfield Works in Manchester. They were a smaller, lighter and less powerful version of the 001 Class and were originally intended for branch line passenger and freight duties. They were introduced in 1956 and, although their duties changed over the years, were in regular service on the Irish railway network until the mid-1980s. Six were sold to Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NIR 101 Class</span>

The NIR 101 Class is a class of diesel-electric locomotive formerly operated by Northern Ireland Railways (NIR). With the return to the working of the Enterprise service from Belfast to Dublin with coaching stock instead of augmented diesel railcar sets, NIR found itself with no suitable main line diesel locomotives. The 101 Class (DL) became the answer to the immediate problem working in conjunction with the newly acquired British Rail Mark 2 coaches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IÉ 201 Class</span>

The Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) / Northern Ireland Railways 201 Class locomotives are the newest and most powerful diesel locomotives operating in Ireland and were built between 1994 and 1995 by General Motors Diesel. They are model type JT42HCW, fitted with an EMD 12-710G3B engine of 3,200 hp (2,400 kW), weigh 108.862 tonnes and have a maximum speed of 164 km/h (102 mph).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CIÉ 121 Class</span> Railway locomotive

The Córas Iompair Éireann 121 Class was a railway locomotive which was manufactured by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. These locomotives were in regular service on the Irish railway network until 2002, with the last two remaining in service until early 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CIÉ 181 Class</span>

The Córas Iompair Éireann 181 Class locomotives were built in 1966 by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) and numbered B181 to B192.

A wide variety of hauled coaches have been used on the railways of Ireland. This page lists all those since 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GNRI Class V</span>

The Great Northern Railway V class steam locomotives were 4-4-0 three-cylinder compound locomotives built in 1932 by Beyer, Peacock & Company for the Great Northern Railway (Ireland).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GSR Class 800</span>

The Great Southern Railways Class 800 steam locomotives were built principally for express passenger work on the Dublin to Cork main line of that company. These locomotives were designed under the supervision of E. C. Bredin with his Chief Draughtsman, H. J. A. Beaumont, preparing the drawings. They were the largest and most powerful engines ever to run in Ireland by quite a large margin, and the only three express passenger locomotives to be built in an independent Ireland.

The "Type K", number 801 was a diesel locomotive which was allocated to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) following the disbanding of the Great Northern Railway Board (GNRB) in 1958.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Railway Preservation Society of Ireland</span> Heritage rail society in Ireland

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) is a railway preservation group founded in 1964 and operating throughout Ireland. Mainline steam train railtours are operated from Dublin, while short train rides are operated up and down the platform at Whitehead, County Antrim, and as of 2023, the group sometimes operates mainline trains in Northern Ireland using hired-in NIR diesel trains from Belfast. The RPSI has bases in Dublin and Whitehead, with the latter having a museum. The society owns heritage wagons, carriages, steam engines, diesel locomotives and metal-bodied carriages suitable for mainline use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DSER 15 and 16</span> Class of two Irish 2-6-0 locomotives

The Dublin and South Eastern Railway 15 and 16 were a pair of 2-6-0 steam locomotives which were built for the heavy goods (freight) traffic on the Dublin to Wexford main line of the Dublin and South Eastern Railway (DSER). The two locomotives were built by Beyer, Peacock and Company at their Gorton Foundry in Manchester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GS&WR Class 101</span> Irish steam locomotive

The GS&WR Class 101, classified as Class 101 or Class J15 by the Great Southern Railways, was a class of 0-6-0 steam locomotives designed for working goods traffic although they did, and were quite capable of, working branch and secondary passenger trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IE 2700 and 2750 Classes</span>

The 2700 and 2750 Classes were two related types of diesel multiple unit operated by Iarnród Éireann. The 2700 Class units were 2-car sets; 25 cars were built by GEC Alsthom in 1997 and 1998, and began entering service in December 1998. Each car weighed 38 long tons and was fitted with a 350 hp (260 kW) underfloor Cummins engine with a maximum service speed of 110 km/h (68 mph).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irish Traction Group</span> Irish locomotive preservation society

The Irish Traction Group is a railway preservation society dedicated to preserving diesel locomotives from Irish railways. It was founded on 4 June 1989 with the intention of attempting to preserve at least one example of every type of diesel locomotive to have operated on the Irish Rail system. The ITG's locomotives and work are spread across three sites: Carrick-on-Suir railway station, the Downpatrick and County Down Railway (DCDR), and the West Clare Railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CIÉ 2600 Class</span>

The Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) 2600 Class were Associated Equipment Company (AEC)–engined diesel multiple units that operated InterCity and suburban services on the CIÉ system between 1952 and 1975. Many were later converted for push–pull operation with diesel locomotives, finally being withdrawn when displaced by the electric Dublin Area Rapid Transit service in the mid-1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CIÉ 071 Class</span>

The Córas Iompair Éireann/Iarnród Éireann 071 Class or Northern Ireland Railways 110 Class or Serbian Railways JŽ series 666 is a General Motors Electro-Motive Division EMD JT22CW series diesel-electric locomotive used in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Serbia.

The GS&WR 400 class or CIE class B2/B2a were a class of ten 4-6-0 steam locomotives built for the Great Southern & Western Railway (GS&WR) between 1916 and 1923 for express passenger duties on the Dublin to Cork main line. They proved initially unreliable but rebuilds from four to two cylinders between 1927 and 1937 for the seven survivors produced locomotives yielding satisfactory performance with the last two being withdrawn in 1961.

References

  1. New Equipment Railway Age 17 September 1962 page 71
  2. New Dual-Cab GM Diesels for Ireland International Railway Journal March 1963 page 42
  3. Department of Transport and Power (March 1975). "REPORT OF INQUIRY INTO THE COLLISION THAT OCCURRED AT ROSSLARE STRAND STATION ON 13th AUGUST 1974" (PDF). The Stationery Office via Rail Accident Investigation Unit. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  4. "Cobh Train Crash". RTÉ Archives. Archived from the original on 5 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20100821082710/http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/loco_146.htm [ bare URL ]
  6. http://www.downrail.co.uk/news.htm [ bare URL ]
  7. https://web.archive.org/web/20110720010218/http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/loco_152.htm [ bare URL ]
other source