Steam locomotives of Ireland

Last updated

A wide variety of steam locomotives have been used on Ireland's railways. This page lists most if not all those that have been used in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Irish railways generally followed British practice in locomotive design.

Contents

The list that follows is roughly geographic (north to south) order.

Northern Ireland

The Ulster Transport Authority, which controlled the railways in Northern Ireland between 1948 and 1966, replaced steam haulage on passenger trains with diesel multiple units, but had only two diesel shunting locomotives, which meant a continued role for steam on freight work. Twenty-three locomotives passed to Northern Ireland Railways in 1967, but most were not used again and all had been withdrawn by 1971.

Belfast and County Down Railway

The Belfast and County Down Railway was founded in 1848. It absorbed the Belfast, Hollywood and Bangor Railway in 1884 and continued operating until it was nationalised in its centenary year into the Ulster Transport Authority as a result of the Ireland Act 1949.

TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
Dates
withdrawn
Notes [1] [2]
2-2-2 1–4 4 Bury, Curtis and Kennedy 18481858–1865No. 2 renumbered 8 and rebuilt as 0–4–2; withdrawn 1890s
2-2-2WT 1T, 2T 2 William Fairbairn & Sons 1850–18511867–1877Renumbered 4 and 5 in 1859
2-4-0T 5, 6 2 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1857–18581894–1894No. 5 renumbered 7 in 1859
2-4-0T 8 1 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18591880s
0-4-2 9, 10 2 William Fairbairn & Sons 18591886–1887
2-4-0ST 11–13, 3, 5 5+2 Vulcan Foundry 1864–671890–190912–13 sold to BH&BR 1–2 in 1870; renumbered 15–16, along with two identical locos bought new by BH&BR (3 & 6) → BCDR 17, 20
2-4-0T 1 1 John Fowler & Co 18671909rebuilt as 0–4–2 in 1884
2-4-0 12, 13 2 Manning Wardle 18681888–1904?
0-6-0 14 1 Vulcan Foundry 18751904
0-6-0 4 1 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18781922
0-4-2 2 1 Sharp, Stewart & Company 18801937rebuilt as 0-4-2T in 1902
0-4-2 8 1BCDR Queens Quay Works, Belfast18811897
2-4-0T 18, 19 2 Yorkshire Engine Company 18701891ex BH&BR 4 & 5
0-4-2 10, 9, 13, 16 4 Sharp, Stewart & Company 1886–18901914–1949rebuilt as 0–4–2T (1900–1902); 9 renumbered 28 in 1945
2-4-2T 18, 19, 21, 22 4 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18911920Compounds; rebuilt as 4-4-2T in late 1890s
2-4-0 23–25 3 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18921921Compounds
0-6-0 26 1 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18921950
2-4-0 6 1 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18941956
2-4-2T 5, 7, 8, 27, 28, 29 6 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1896–18971923–1950
4-4-2T 30 12 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1901–19211956–1962UTA renumbered by adding 200
0-6-0 14 1 Beyer, Peacock & Company 19041954Renumbered 214 by UTA
Railmotor 1–3 3 Kitson & Company 1905–19061924Carriage portions saw further use
0-6-0 10, 4 2 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1914–192119564 renumbered 204 by UTA
4-6-4T 22–25 4 Beyer, Peacock & Company 19201956Renumbered 222–225 by UTA
0-6-4T 29 1 Beyer, Peacock & Company 19231956Renumbered 229 by UTA
4-4-2T 8, 16, 9 3 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1924–19451956UTA renumbered by adding 200
C d D1 1 Harland & Wolff 1933Renumbered 2 in 1937
(1A)(A1)d D2 1 Harland & Wolff 1937Renumbered 28 in 1937

Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (1848–1903) & Northern Counties Committee (1903–1949)

The Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (BNCR), was a railway that served the north-east of Ireland. It had its origins in the Belfast and Ballymena Railway that opened to traffic on 11 April 1848. The Northern Counties Committee came into existence on 1 July 1903 as the result of the Midland Railway taking over the BNCR. At the 1923 Grouping the Committee became part of the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS); with the nationalisation of the railways in Britain in 1948 the line passed to the British Transport Commission and in the following year, 1949, it was sold to the Ulster Transport Authority (UTA) as a result of the Ireland Act 1949.

Belfast and Ballymena Railway (1848–1860) and other constituents

The early locomotives of the constituent companies were to assorted designs from a number of manufacturers. The first locomotives for the Belfast and Ballymena Railway were purchased from Bury, Curtis and Kennedy. These were four 2-2-2 singles and one 0-4-2 goods engine. Later, four more 2-2-2s were ordered but this time from Sharp Brothers. Fairbairn 2-2-2s were to be found on the Ballymena Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine and Portrush Junction Railway but this company also favoured Sharp locomotives which were double framed 2-4-0s.

Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (1860–1903)

The BNCR introduced class letters for its locomotive stock in 1897. The MR (NCC) and later the LMS (NCC) continued to use the system adding new classes as required.

ClassTypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
Dates
withdrawn
Notes
A 4-4-0 3–5, 9, 17, 20, 34, 63–6813 York Road Works (7)
Derby Works (6)
1901–19081929–1936Heavy compound locomotives
B 4-4-0 24, 59–625 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1897–18981924–1932Light compound locomotives
C 2-4-0 21, 33, 50–52, 56–577 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1890–18951926–1942Light compound locomotives; 50 renumbered 58
D 2-4-0 50, 552 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18951944–1946Heavy compound locomotives; named Jubilee and Parkmount; rebuilt as 4-4-0 in 1897
E 0-6-0 53–542 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18921934–1944Compound goods locomotives
F 2-4-0 45–46, 233 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1880–18851938–1942
G 2-4-0 6, 8, 10–11, 22, 27, 29, 40–419 Sharp, Stewart & Company (7)
Beyer, Peacock & Company (2)
1872–18781925–1933
H 2-4-0 12–176 Sharp, Stewart & Company 18561908–1924
I 2-4-0 40–412 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18681924Renumbered 1–2
J 2-4-0T 25, 47–494 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18831932–1934Rebuilt as saddle tanks
K 0-6-0 7, 28, 30–32, 38–39, 43–449 Sharp, Stewart & Company (7)
Beyer, Peacock & Company (2)
1867–18801925–1947
L 0-6-0 18–19, 353 Sharp, Stewart & Company 1857–18611925–1933
L1 0-6-0 36–372 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18631928–1932
M 0-4-2 261 York Road Works 18731925
N 0-4-0ST 421 Sharp, Stewart & Company 18751925
O 0-4-2ST 60–623 Black, Hawthorn & Company 1874–18751911–1923Narrow gauge locomotives; ex Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway 1–3; renumbered 101–103
P 2-4-0T 63–642 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1877–18781920–1928Narrow gauge locomotives; ex Ballymena and Larne Railway 1 & 4; renumbered 104–105
Q 0-6-0T 65–673 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1877–18821931–1933Narrow gauge locomotives; ex Ballymena & Larne Railway 2, 3 & 6; renumbered 106–108
R 2-6-0ST 681 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18801934Narrow gauge locomotive; ex Ballymena & Larne Railway 5; renumbered 109
S 2-4-2T 69–702 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18821946–1954Narrow gauge compound locomotives; renumbered 110–111

Northern Counties Committee (1903–1949)

ClassTypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
Dates
withdrawn
Notes
A1 4-4-0 3, 4, 9, 17, 34, 64–66, 689(1927–34)1947–1954Simple rebuilds of class A
B1 4-4-0 60, 613(1921)(1932)Rebuilds of class B
B2 4-4-0 241(1925)(1928)Simple rebuilds of class B
B3 4-4-0 21, 24, 28, 60, 615(1927–32)1938–1947Simple rebuilds of classes B1, B2, C and C1
C1 2-4-0 21, 51, 52, 574(1926–31)1931–1947Rebuilds of class C
D1 4-4-0 501(1926)1946Rebuild of class D
E1 0-6-0 53–542(1907–11)1934–1944Rebuilds of class E
F1 2-4-0 461(1928)1938Rebuild of class F
G1 2-4-0 6, 10, 273(1910–13)1931–1933Rebuilds of class G
K1 0-6-0 30, 32, 38–39, 43–446(1909–22)1927–1938Rebuilds of class K
S 2-4-2T 112–113, 103–1044 York Road Works 1908–19201938–1954Narrow gauge compound locomotives; 112–113 renumbered 102–101
S1 2-4-2T 101–1022(1928–1930)1942Narrow gauge compound locomotives; rebuilds of class S; renumbered 41–42
S2 2-4-4T 1101(1931)1946Narrow gauge compound locomotive; rebuild of class S
T 90–912 Derby Works 19051913Railmotor units
T 4-4-2T 113–1142 Kitson & Company 19081940–1942Narrow gauge locomotives; ex Ballycastle Railway 3 & 4
N 0-4-0ST 161 York Road Works 19141951
U 4-4-0 14–15, 69–704 Derby Works 1914–19221924–1937Renumbered 70–73; rebuilt as class U2
U1 4-4-0 1–44 York Road Works 1924–19311946–1949Named after Glens
U2 4-4-0 70–8718 North British Locomotive Company (7)
York Road Works (7+4)
1924–19361956–1963
V 0-6-0 71–733 Derby Works 19231961–1964"renumbered" X–Z; then 13–15
 ?911 Sentinel Waggon Works 19251932
W 2-6-0 90–10415 Derby Works (4)
York Road Works (11)
1933–19421956–1965Most named
WT 2-6-4T 1–10, 50–5718 Derby Works 1946–19501968–1971Nicknamed "Jeeps"
Y 0-6-0T 18–192 WG Bagnall (1)
Hunslet Engine Company (1)
1926–19281956–1963Re-gauged LMS Fowler Class 3F; arrived 1944

Cross-Border Lines

Following the division of Ireland in 1921 into two administrations, a number of railways now found themselves operating on both sides of the newly created boundary between Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State (later Republic of Ireland).

West Donegal Railway

The 3-foot (914 mm) West Donegal Railway became the Donegal Railway in 1892; and the County Donegal Railways Joint Committee after being jointly acquired in 1906 by the Great Northern Railway and the Midland Railway's Northern Counties Committee.

ClassTypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
Dates
withdrawn
Notes [3]
1 2-4-0T 1–33 Sharp, Stewart & Company 18811909–1926
2 4-6-0T 4–96 Neilson & Company 18931931–1937
3 4-4-4T 10–112 Neilson, Reid & Company 19021933
4 4-6-4T 12–154 Nasmyth, Wilson & Company 19041953–1959Renumbered 9–12 in 1937
5 2-6-4T 16–205 Nasmyth, Wilson & Company 19071940–1950Renumbered 4–8 in 1937
5A 2-6-4T 21, 2A, 3A3 Nasmyth, Wilson & Company 19121959Renumbered 1–3 in 1937

Dundalk, Newry and Greenore Railway

ClassTypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
Dates
withdrawn
Notes [4]
0-6-0ST 1–6 6LNWR Crewe Works 1873–18981928–1951

Great Northern Railway

The Great Northern Railway (GNR) was formed in 1876 acquiring a variety of locomotives. Nos 1 to 23 were from Dublin and Drogheda Railway; Nos. 24 to 41 from the Dublin and Belfast Junction Railway; Nos. 43 to circa 78 from the Irish North Western Railway and Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway; Numbers in the eighties from the Newry and Armagh Railway and nos. 100 to 141 from the Ulster Railway. [5] Later acquisitions in the 1880s from the Newry, Warrenpoint, and Rostrevor and the Belfast Central Railway were numbered in the Nineties. [6] The GNR straddled the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland (after 1921), and so was not incorporated in either the CIÉ or Ulster Transport Authority. However, mounting losses saw the network purchased jointly by the Irish and British governments on 1 September 1953. It was run as a joint board, independent of the CIÉ and UTA, until 30 September 1958 when it was dissolved and the remaining stock split equally between the two railways.

? (1877–1881)
ClassTypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
Dates
withdrawn
Notes
B 0-6-0 6, 26–27, 34, 62–63, 65–679 Sharp, Stewart & Company 1877–18801925–1938
G 2-4-0 24–25, 46–47, 59, 806 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1877–18831913–1921Several renumbered
H 2-4-0 84–874 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1880–18811931–1932
James Crawford Park (1881–1895)
ClassTypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
1958
CIÉ
1958
UTA
Dates
withdrawn
Notes
A 0-6-0 28, 31, 33, 79–83, 60–61, 64, 145–146, 149–15015 Beyer, Peacock & Company (13)
Dundalk Works (2)
1882–1891301937–1961Several renumbered; three sold to SL&NCR
BT 4-4-0T 2–8, 91–92, 97–10013 Beyer, Peacock & Company (3)
Dundalk Works (10)
1885–18931910–1935Several renumbered
J 4-4-0 17–21, 45, 48, 115–11912 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1885–18891921–193445/48 renumbered 15/16; two sold to SL&NCR
JS 4-2-2 88–892 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18851904Named Victoria and Albert
P 4-4-0 51–54, 72–73, 82–838 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1892–1895301950–1959Rebuilt with superheaters as class Ps
AL 0-6-0 29, 32, 36, 55–59, 151–15311 Beyer, Peacock & Company (7)
Dundalk Works (4)
1893–1896621957–1961151/152 renumbered 141/140
JT 2-4-2T 90, 93–94, 95, 13–146 Dundalk Works 1895–1902101955–196313/14 renumbered 91/92
Charles Clifford (1895–1912)
ClassTypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
1958
CIÉ
1958
UTA
Dates
withdrawn
Notes
PP 4-4-0 12, 25, 42–46, 50, 70–71, 74–77, 106–107, 12917 Beyer, Peacock & Company (15)
Dundalk Works (2)
1896–1911571957–1963Rebuilt with superheaters as class PPs
PG 0-6-0 10–11, 78, 100–1037 Neilson, Reid & Company (3)
Dundalk Works (4)
1899–1904071960–1964Rebuilt with superheaters as class PGs
Q 4-4-0 120–125, 130–13613 Neilson, Reid & Company (9)
North British Locomotive Company (2)
Beyer, Peacock & Company (2)
1899–1904541951–1963Rebuilt with superheaters as class Qs
QG 0-6-0 152–1554 North British Locomotive Company 1903–1904401962–1963Rebuilt with superheaters as class QGs
P 4-4-0 88–89, 104–1054 Dundalk Works 1904–1906101956–1960Rebuilt with superheaters as class Ps
QL 4-4-0 24, 113–114, 126–128, 156–1578 North British Locomotive Company (7)
Beyer, Peacock & Company (1)
1904–1910031932–1960Rebuilt with superheaters as class QLs
QGT 0-6-2T 98–992 Robert Stephenson & Company 1905101957–1960Rebuilt with superheaters as class QGTs
LQG 0-6-0 78, 108, 110–111, 158–16411 North British Locomotive Company (9)
Dundalk Works (2)
1906–1908651958–1963Rebuilt with superheated as class LQGs
RT 0-6-4T 22–23, 166–1674 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1908–1911041958–1963
NQG 0-6-0 9, 38–39, 109, 1125 Nasmyth, Wilson & Company 1911231958–1963Four rebuilt with superheaters as class NQGs; one rebuilt to class LQGs
NLQG 0-6-0 1651 Nasmyth, Wilson & Company 1911011961Rebuilt to class LQGs
QGT2 0-6-2T 168–1692 Robert Stephenson & Company 19111957
S 4-4-0 170–1745 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1913321964–1965Named after mountains; CIÉ locos to UTA in 1963
SG 0-6-0 37, 40–41, 137–1385 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1913321961–1965
G. T. Glover (1912–1933)
ClassTypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
1958
CIÉ
1958
UTA
Dates
withdrawn
Notes
T 4-4-2T 185–1895 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1913141959–1964Rebuilt with superheaters as class T1
SG2 0-6-0 180–1845 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1915321961–1963
S2 4-4-0 190–1923 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1915121960–65
U 4-4-0 196–2005 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1915321959–1963Named after Loughs
SG3 0-6-0 6–8, 13–14, 20, 47–49, 96–97, 117–118, 201–20215 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1920–1921781960–1967201–202 renumbered 40–41
T2 4-4-2T 1–55 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1921231959–1964
T2 4-4-2T 21, 30, 115–116, 139, 142–144, 147–14810 Nasmyth, Wilson & Company 1924641958–1963147–148 renumbered 67 and 69
SG2 0-6-0 15–195 Nasmyth, Wilson & Company 1924–1926231959–1965
Crane 0-6-0CT 311 Hawthorn Leslie 1928001963to Dundalk Engineering Co. (as part of Dundalk Works) in 1958; to CIÉ in 1960
T2 4-4-2T 62–665 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1929–1930321959–1960
V 4-4-0 83–875 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1932231959–1963Three-cylinder compound; named after birds of prey
G. B. Howden (1933–1939)
ClassTypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
1958
CIÉ
1958
UTA
Dates
withdrawn
Notes
UG 0-6-0 78–825 Dundalk Works 1937231960–1965 [7]
H. R. McIntosh (1939–1953)
ClassTypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
made
ManufacturerDates
built
1958
CIÉ
1958
UTA
Dates
withdrawn
Notes
UG 0-6-0 145–1495 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1948321960–1968 [7]
U 4-4-0 201–2055 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1948231962–1965Named after counties
VS 4-4-0 206–2105 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1948321960–1965 [7] Three-cylinder simple; named after rivers

Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway

Broad gauge locomotives (1862–1882)
TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
Dates
withdrawn
Notes [8]
0-6-0T 1–2 2G&W18621883–1885No. 2 renumbered 3; No. 1 sold to Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners
0-6-0ST 3–4 2 Robert Stephenson & Company 18641869–1882No. 4 renumbered 2; Sold to Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners
0-6-0T 4–5 2 Sharp, Stewart & Company 1876–18791885Sold to Cork and Bandon Railway as their Nos. 14–15
Narrow gauge locomotives (1882–1954)
TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
Dates
withdrawn
Notes [8]
0-6-2WT 1 1 Black, Hawthorn & Company 18821911Sold to a contractor
0-6-2T 2–3 2 Black, Hawthorn & Company 18831912–1913
0-6-0T 4 1 Black, Hawthorn & Company 18851940renumbered 17 in 1913
2-4-0T 5–6 2 Robert Stephenson & Company 18741899Ex Glenariff Iron Ore and Harbour Company, acquired 1885; renumbered 5A and 6A in 1899
4-6-2T 5–8 4 Hudswell Clarke 1899–19021940–19545 and 6 renumbered 15 and 16 in 1913
4-6-0T 1–4 4 Andrew Barclay Sons & Co 19021940–1954Owned by the Letterkenny and Burtonport Extension Railway
4-6-2T 9–10 2 Kerr, Stuart & Company 19041928–1954
4-8-0 11–12 2 Hudswell Clarke 19051933–1954
4-6-2T 13–14 2 Hawthorn Leslie 19101940–1943to Letterkenny and Burtonport Extension Railway in exchange for L&BER 5 and 6
4-8-4T 5–6 2 Hudswell Clarke 19121954Owned by the Letterkenny and Burtonport Extension Railway; to L&LSR in exchange for 13 and 14.

Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway

The Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway was a small cross-border railway that closed in 1957. Its locomotive fleet never carried numbers, only names.

ClassTypeNamesQuantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
Dates
withdrawn
Notes
Pioneer 0-6-2T Pioneer
Sligo
2 Avonside Engine Company 18771921
Leitrim 0-6-4T Fermanagh
Leitrim
Lurganboy
Lissadell
Hazlewood
5 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1882–18991947–1957also known as Fermanagh class
Erne 4-4-0T Erne1 Hudswell Clarke 18831910rebuilt as 4-4-2T in 1885
Faugh-a-Ballagh 0-4-0ST Faugh-a-Ballagh1 Hunslet Engine Company 1878 ?Acquired 1897: ex contractors' locomotive
Waterford 0-6-0T Waterford1 Hunslet Engine Company 1893 ?Acquired 1897: ex contractors' locomotive
Sir Henry 0-6-4T Sir Henry
Enniskillen
Lough Gill
3 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1904–19171957
Glencar 4-4-0 Blacklion
Glencar
(2) Beyer, Peacock & Company 1885–871928–1931Acquired 1921: ex GNRI Class J nos. 118 (Blacklion) and 119 (Glencar)
Sligo 0-6-0 Glencar ‘A’
Sligo
Sligo
(3) Beyer, Peacock & Company 1882–18901940–1949Acquired 1927–1940: ex GNRI Class A nos. 31 (Glencar) and 149 (Sligo); latter swapped for GNRI 69 in 1940
Lough 0-6-4T Lough Melvin
Lough Erne
2 Beyer, Peacock & Company 19491957to UTA in 1959 as nos. 26–27, UTA class Z; withdrawn 1968–1970

Irish Free State and Republic of Ireland

The railways wholly in the Irish Free State were merged into one private company — Great Southern Railways — in 1925. The GSR renumbered all the broad gauge locomotives into one series with the former Great Southern and Western Railway locomotives retaining their old number. The GSR had two parallel classification systems – a numerical system which was the lowest number of a locomotive in that class, and an alpha-numerical which used a letter to indicate the wheel arrangement, and a number, with the lowest number given to the most powerful class with that wheel arrangement. The latter system was only used by Inchicore Works for accounting purposes, while the former was used by locomotive crews and the drawing office at Inchicore Works.

LetterWheel
Arrangement
LetterWheel
Arrangement
LetterWheel
Arrangement
A 4-8-0T F 2-4-2T K 2-6-0
B 4-6-0 G 2-4-0 L 0-4-2
C 4-4-2 H 0-6-4 M 0-4-0
D 4-4-0 I 0-6-2T N 2-2-2
E 0-4-4T J 0-6-0 P 2-6-2

Note that narrow gauge locomotive classes included the letter N after the prefix letter, letter C was also used for Bo-Bo diesels, and that letters B, C, D, F, J, and K were used for the same wheel arrangements by the London and North Eastern Railway, while E and G changed places.

In 1945, the GSR became part of Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), which amalgamated the railway, road transport and canal functions of the State. CIÉ was nationalised in 1950 and settled on a policy of replacing steam with diesel locomotives, a process that was completed in 1962.

Midland Great Western Railway (1847–1924)

M. Atock (1872–1901)
E. Cusack (1901–1915)
W. H. Morton (1915–1924)

Great Southern and Western Railway (1845–1924)

Alexander McDonnell (1864–1883)
John Aspinall (1883–1886)
Henry Ivatt (1886–1896)
Robert Coey (1896–1911)
Richard Maunsell (1911–1913)
E. A. Watson (1913–1922)
J. R. Bazin (1922–1924)

Waterford & Limerick Railway

The Waterford and Limerick Railway changed its name to Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway in 1896. It was acquired by the Great Southern and Western Railway in 1900; by which time all but one of its locomotive fleet had been designed by Robinson.

TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
GSWR
Class
GSWR
Nos.
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
Dates withdrawnNotes
2-2-2 WLR 1 to 6 6 Stothert & Slaughter 18471860–1862
2-2-2 WLR 7 1 ? ?1871Acquired secondhand from William Dargan in 1853; origin unknown
2-2-2 WLR 8 to 10 3 Bury, Curtis and Kennedy 1848–491880–88Acquired secondhand from William Dargan in 1850–52; né Newry, Warrenpoint and Rostrevor Railway 1 to 3 (not in order)
2-4-0 WLR 11 to 12, 17 to 21 7 William Fairbairn & Sons 1853–552642641872–1903
0-4-2 WLR 13 to 16 4 Sharp, Stewart & Company 1853–541891–96
0-4-2 WLR 4 to 6 3 Sharp, Stewart & Company 1862–642232231890–1901
2-2-2 WLR 28 1 Kitson & Company 18642802801902
0-4-0ST WLR 29 1 Sharp, Stewart & Company 18652282282281925
0-4-2 WLR 3 and 7 2 Kitson & Company 18761888–92
2-4-0 WLR 25, 31 to 32, 8, 35 to 39 10 Vulcan Foundry 1874–82281277, 281–283, 261, 285–2891902–11
0-4-2 WLR 19, 26, 27 and 33 4 Avonside Engine Company 1876278272, 278, 2841899–1910
0-6-0T WLR 34 1 ? ?2292291901Acquired secondhand in 1878
0-6-0 WLR 40 and 41 2 Vulcan Foundry 1883230230–2311909–10
0-6-0WT WLR 42 1 Hawthorns & Co. (Leith) 18622322321901Acquired secondhand in 1883; ex Neath & Brecon Railway No. 3; né Anglesey Central Railway
0-6-0 WLR 1 1 Robert Stephenson & Company 18792212211909Acquired second-hand in 1884; rebuilt as 0-6-0ST in 1899
4-4-0 WLR 9 1 Dübs & Company 18862622621912
4-4-0 WLR 12 1 Vulcan Foundry 18862652651907
0-6-0 WLR 24 1 Dübs & Company 18862272271910
J. G. Robinson (1888–1900) [9]
TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
GSWR
Class
GSWR
Nos.
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
Dates withdrawnNotes
0-6-0 WLR 5 to 7 3 Limerick Works 1888–93224224 to 2261905–1909
2-4-0 WLR 10, 22, 20, 23, 43, 44, 47, and 48 8 Dübs & Company 1889–94276263, 275, 273, 276, 290 to 293276G31907–1959
2-4-2T WLR 13 and 14 2 Vulcan Foundry 1891266226 and 227267
491
F4
F5
1933–1935226 sold to CMDR 6 in 1913; to GSR 491 in 1925
0-4-2T WLR 3 1 Limerick Works 18922602601912
0-6-0 WLR 45, 46, 49, and 50 4 Dübs & Company 1893–95233233 to 236235J221911–1951
0-4-4T WLR 15 1 Limerick Works 18942682681912
0-4-4T WLR 51 and 52 2 Kitson & Company 1895294294 and 295295E21910–1954
4-4-2T WLWR 16 to 18, and 21 4 Kitson & Company 1896–97269269 to 271, 274269C51949–1957
4-4-0 WLWR 53 to 55 3 Kitson & Company 1896–97296296 to 298296D151928–1949
0-6-0 WLWR 56 to 58 3 Kitson & Company 1897237237 to 239222J251934–1951
0-4-4T WLWR 27 1 Limerick Works 1899279279279E11953
0-6-0 WLWR 2, 4, 11 3 Kitson & Company 1900222222,222J251929–19504 and 11 sold before delivery to MGWR 141 and 142

Dublin and Kingstown Railway

TypeClass
lead
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Dates withdrawnNotes
2-2-0 [lower-alpha 1] Vauxhall 3 George Forrester and Company 1834Dublin, Kingstown & Vauxhall [10] [11] - subsequently converted to 2-2-2T
2-2-0 Hibernia 3 Sharp Brothers 18341842 Hibernia, Britania, Manchester [10] [11]
2-2-0 Star 1 Horseley Iron Company 1836Star [12] [11]
2-2-0T [lower-alpha 1] Victoria 2 George Forrester and Company 1836Victoria & Comet [12] [11] - first tank locomotives in public service subsequently converted to 2-2-2T
2-2-2T Princess 5 Grand Canal Street 1841Princess, Belleisle, Shamrock, Erin, Albert [12] [11]
2-2-2T Burgoyne 4 Grand Canal Street 1845Burgoyne, Cyclops, Vulcan, Jupiter [12] (increased wheelbase) [11]

Dublin and South Eastern Railway (1853–1924)

The Dublin and South Eastern Railway started out in 1846 as the Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin Railway Company. In 1853 it was renamed the Dublin and Wicklow Railway Company, and in 1860 it was renamed the Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway Company and on 31 December 1906 it was renamed again as the Dublin and South Eastern.

Frederick Pemberton (1854–1856)
S. W. Haughton (1856–1864)
William Meikle (1856–1864)
TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Dates withdrawnNotes
2-2-2WT D&WR 1 and 2 2 William Fairbairn & Sons 18531892–1901No. 2 renumbered 45 in 1885
2-4-0 D&WR 3 1 William Fairbairn & Sons 18531898Rebuilt as 2-4-0T in 1884
2-2-2T D&WR 4 and 5 2 William Fairbairn & Sons 18531872–1900No. 5 renumbered 5A in 1897
2-2-2ST D&WR 6, 7, 10 and 11 4 Vulcan Foundry 1854–551902–03Renumbered 6A, 7A, 10A, 11 between 1894 and 1896
2-4-0ST D&WR 8 and 9 2 Vulcan Foundry 18551890–1903Rebuilt as 2-4-0T
2-4-0 DWWR 12 to 14 3 William Fairbairn & Sons 18601902–23
0-4-2 DWWR 15 and 16 2 Sharp, Stewart & Company 18601922–25
0-4-2 DWWR 17 to 23 7 Sharp, Stewart & Company 18641899–1925No. 21 rebuilt as 0-4-2T in 1904
J. Wakefield (1865–1882)
TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Dates withdrawnNotes
2-4-0 DWWR 24 to 26, 32, and 33 5 Sharp, Stewart & Company 1864–73422G74221928No. 26 rebuilt as 2-4-0T in 1900
2-2-2WT DWWR Ariel et al. 7 Neilson & Company 18651886–94Ariel, Elfin, Kate Kearney, Kelpie, Oberon, Titania, Banshee. [12] [13] Four sold to contractors
2-2-2WT DWWR 27 and 28 2 Grand Canal Street 18691887
2-2-2WT DWWR 29 to 31, 34 to 36, 4, 40 and 27 9 Grand Canal Street (7)
Neilson & Company (2)
1871–18871902–234 renumbered 30 in 1902
0-4-2 DWWR 37 to 39 3 Sharp, Stewart & Company 18761923–25
2-4-0WT DWWR 41 1 Grand Canal Street 18821925rebuilt as 2-4-0T in 1903
W. Wakefield (1882–1894)
TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Dates withdrawnNotes
2-4-0T DWWR 42 to 44 3 Beyer, Peacock & Company 18831925
2-4-0T DWWR 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 28, 45 to 47, and 49 11 Grand Canal Street 1885–96423G1423–4261925–5510, 28, 45, 46 rebuilt as 2-4-2T between 1900 and 1910
2-4-2T DWWR 3, 11 2 Grand Canal Street 1896–98428,430F24281953
2-4-2T DWWR 10, 28, 45, 46 (4)(1900–10)428F2429–4331925–57rebuilt from 2-4-0T
0-6-0 DWWR 50 and 51 2 Vulcan Foundry 1891447J74471925–30
4-4-2T DWWR 52 to 54 3 Sharp, Stewart & Company 1893458C3458–4601953–1960
T. Grierson (1894–1897)
TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Dates withdrawnNotes
4-4-0 DWWR 55 to 58 4 Vulcan Foundry 1895–96450D9450–4531929–40
R. Cronin (1897–1917)
TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Dates withdrawnNotes
0-6-2T DWWR 4 and 5 2 Kitson & Company 1897448J1448–4491940–50rebuilt as 0-6-0 in 1908
0-6-0 DWWR 17 1 Grand Canal Street 1899440J204401929
0-4-2 DWWR 48 1 Grand Canal Street 18991913
0-6-0 DWWR 36 1 Grand Canal Street 1900441J144411934
2-4-2T DWWR 8, 12, 27, 29, 30, 40 6 Grand Canal Street 1901–09434F1434–4391950–53
2-4-2T DWWR 59 to 64 6 Crewe Works 1883–964274271916–36ex London & North Western Railway 4-ft 6-in Tanks, acquired 1902 and regauged
0-6-0 DWWR 13, 14, 18, 65, and 66 5 Grand Canal Street (3)
Beyer, Peacock & Company (2)
1905442J8442–4461930–1957
4-4-0 DWWR 67 and 68 2 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1905454D84541925–1949
Railmotor DWWR 1 and 2 2 Manning Wardle 1906(1907)Rebuilt 1907 as separate 0-4-0T and coach; locos numbered 69–70
0-4-0T DSER 69 and 70 2 Manning Wardle (1907)ImpM1Elf
Imp
1928–31Rebuilt from railmotors 1 and 2; later Class M2
4-4-2T DSER 20, 34, and 35 3 Grand Canal Street (1)
Beyer, Peacock & Company (2)
1911–1924455C2455–4571955–59
G. H. Wild (1917–1924)
TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Dates withdrawnNotes
2-6-0 DSER 15 and 16 2 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1922461K2461–4621963–65

Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway (to 1924)

TypeFleet
numbers
Quantity
built
ManufacturerDates
built
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Dates withdrawnNotes
0-2-2WT 1, 2 2 William Bridges Adams 18491867
2-2-2 3, 4 2 Vulcan Foundry 1849–18511889–1890
0-4-2 5, 6 2 Sharp, Stewart & Company 18521879–1887
2-4-0T 1, 2, 8, 13 and 4A 5 Dübs & Company 1874–1887482G6477, 4821919–1930
2-4-0T 9 and 10 2 J. Cross 18651893–1895ex West Cork Railways 1 and 2, acquired 1880
2-4-0ST 11 1 Vulcan Foundry 18771904ex West Cork Railways 3, acquired 1880
0-6-0ST 5, 6, 12, 16, 17 5 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1891–1894472
474
475
J24
J23
J21
1925–40
0-6-0T 14, 15 2 Sharp, Stewart & Company 1876–18791908–1910ex Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway 4 and 5, acquired 1885 rebuilt as 4-4-0T between 1893 and 1898
4-4-0T 3, 9, 10, 18 4 Dübs & Company (2)
Neilson & Company (2)
1891–1894471
479
 
C6
471
479–481
1930–1936most rebuilt as 4–4–2T between 1898 and 1902; No. 10 rebuilt as 4-6-0T in 1906
0-6-2ST 19, 20 2 Baldwin Locomotive Works 19001912–1914
4-4-0T CBSCR 7 1Cork Works19014784781934
4-6-0T 4, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20 8 Beyer, Peacock & Company 1906–1920463B4463–4701945–1961

Minor broad gauge railways

Waterford & Tramore Railway

Cork & Macroom Direct Railway

Timoleague & Courtmacsherry Light Railway

Narrow gauge railways

Cavan & Leitrim Railway (to 1924)

Cork, Blackrock & Passage Railway (to 1924)

Cork & Muskerry Light Railway (to 1924)

Schull & Skibbereen Railway (to 1924)

Tralee & Dingle Light Railway (to 1924)

West Clare Railway (to 1924)

  • WCR 5 to 7 – GSR Class 5C or Class IN1. No 5 is preserved and operational at the West Clare preserved Railway
  • WCR 2, 4, 8, and 9 – GSR Class 2C or Class PN1
  • WCR 10 – GSR Class 10C or Class BN1
  • WCR 11 – GSR Class 11C or Class BN2
  • WCR 1 – GSR Class 1C or Class BN3
  • WCR 3 and 7 – GSR Class 3C or Class BN4

Bord Na Mona

Great Southern Railways (1925–1944) and Córas Iompair Éireann (from 1945)

The GSR introduced just under sixty steam locomotives between 1925 and 1944, [15] :349 whilst CIÉ introduced one, the experimental Bulleid turf burner. CIÉ did however acquire 83 steam locomotives, which was precisely half of the Great Northern Railway stock, when that company was split between CIÉ and the Ulster Transport Authority after 30 September 1958. [16] :184–185

J. R. Bazin (1925–1929)
W. H. Morton (1929–1932)
A. W. Harty (1932–1937)
Edgar Craven Bredin (1937–1942)
M. J. Ginnetty (1942–1944)
C. F. Tyndall (1944–1951)
O. V. S Bulleid (1951–1958)

Preserved locomotives

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Subsequently converted to 2-2-2 T

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References

  1. Rowledge 1993, pp. 40–42.
  2. "Locomotives of the Belfast and County Down Railway". The Belfast & County Down Railway Museum Trust. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  3. Rowledge 1993, pp. 116–118.
  4. Rowledge 1993, p. 118.
  5. Ahrons (1954), pp. 66–80.
  6. Ahrons (1954), p. 69.
  7. 1 2 3 Rowledge 1993, pp. 37, 56, 114.
  8. 1 2 Rowledge 1993, pp. 115.
  9. Haresnape & Rowledge (1982), pp. 17–27
  10. 1 2 Kullman, Kurt (28 May 2018). "Rolling Stock". "The First Irish Railway: Westland Row to Kingstown". THP Ireland. p. 45. ISBN   978-0750987646.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Murray, K. A. (1981). "10 — Locomotives". Ireland's First Railway. Irish Railway Record Society. ISBN   0904078078.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Dublin's First Railway". Dublin Historical Record. 1 (2): 36−37. JSTOR   30080094.
  13. Shepherd, Ernie (1988). The Dublin & South Eastern Railway (1988 ed.). Midland Publishing Ltd. p. 140,199,202. ISBN   1 85780 082 6.
  14. Tom Rolt
  15. Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. ISBN   9781906578268.
  16. Baker, Michael H. C. (1972). "Irish railways since 1916". Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN   0711002827.

Sources