Steam locomotives of Ireland

A wide variety of steam locomotives have been used on Ireland's railways. This page lists all those that have been used in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Irish railways generally followed British practice in locomotive design.

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 Twenty-three locomotives passed to Northern Ireland Railways in 1967, but most were not used again and all had been withdrawn by 1970.

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.

Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
Date
withdrawn
Notes [1][2]
2-2-2 1–4 4 Bury, Curtis, and Kennedy 1848 1858–1865 No. 2 renumbered 8 and rebuilt as 0–4–2; withdrawn 1890s
2-2-2WT 1T, 2T 2 William Fairbairn & Sons 1850–1851 1867–1877 Renumbered 4 and 5 in 1859
2-4-0T 5, 6 2 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1857–1858 1894–1894 No. 5 renumbered 7 in 1859
2-4-0T 8 1 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1859 1880s
0-4-2 9, 10 2 William Fairbairn & Sons 1859 1886–1887
2-4-0ST 11–13, 3, 5 5+2 Vulcan Foundry 1864–67 1890–1909 12–13 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. 1867 1909 rebuilt as 0–4–2 in 1884
2-4-0 12, 13 2 Manning Wardle 1868 1888–1904?
0-6-0 14 1 Vulcan Foundry 1875 1904
0-6-0 4 1 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1878 1922
0-4-2 2 1 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1880 1937 rebuilt as 0-4-2T in 1902
0-4-2 8 1 BCDR Queens Quay Works, Belfast 1881 1897
2-4-0T 18, 19 2 Yorkshire Engine Co. 1870 1891 ex BH&BR 4 & 5
0-4-2 10, 9, 13, 16 4 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1886–1890 1914–1949 rebuilt as 0–4–2T (1900–1902); 9 renumbered 28 in 1945
2-4-2T 18, 19, 21, 22 4 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1891 1920 Compounds; rebuilt as 4-4-2T in late 1890s
2-4-0 23–25 3 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1892 1921 Compounds
0-6-0 26 1 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1892 1950
2-4-0 6 1 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1894 1956
2-4-2T 5, 7, 8, 27, 28, 29 6 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1896–1897 1923–1950
4-4-2T 3, 15, 30, 11, 12, 1, 17, 20, 13, 18, 9, 21 12 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1901–1921 1956–1962 UTA renumbered by adding 200
0-6-0 14 1 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1904 1954 Renumbered 214 by UTA
Railmotor 1–3 3 Kitson & Co. 1905–1906 1924 Carriage portions saw further use
0-6-0 10, 4 2 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1914–1921 1956 4 renumbered 204 by UTA
4-6-4T 22–25 4 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1920 1956 Renumbered 222–225 by UTA
0-6-4T 29 1 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1923 1956 Renumbered 229 by UTA
4-4-2T 8, 16, 9 3 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1924–1945 1956 UTA renumbered by adding 200
C d D1 1 Harland & Wolff 1933 Renumbered 2 in 1937
(1A)(A1)d D2 1 Harland & Wolff 1937 Renumbered 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 and 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).

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.

Class Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
Date
withdrawn
Notes
A 4-4-0 3–5, 9, 17, 20, 34, 63–68 13 York Road Works (7)
Derby Works (6)
1901–1908 1929–1936 Heavy compound locomotives
B 4-4-0 24, 59–62 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1897–1898 1924–1932 Light compound locomotives
C 2-4-0 21, 33, 50–52, 56–57 7 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1890–1895 1926–1942 Light compound locomotives; 50 renumbered 58
D 2-4-0 50, 55 2 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1895 1944–1946 Heavy compound locomotives; named Jubilee and Parkmount; rebuilt as 4-4-0 in 1897
E 0-6-0 53–54 2 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1892 1934–1944 Compound goods locomotives
F 2-4-0 45–46, 23 3 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1880–1885 1938–1942
G 2-4-0 6, 8, 10–11, 22, 27, 29, 40–41 9 Sharp, Stewart & Co. (7)
Beyer, Peacock & Co. (2)
1872–1878 1925–1933
H 2-4-0 12–17 6 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1856 1908–1924
I 2-4-0 40–41 2 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1868 1924 Renumbered 1–2
J 2-4-0T 25, 47–49 4 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1883 1932–1934 Rebuilt as saddle tanks
K 0-6-0 7, 28, 30–32, 38–39, 43–44 9 Sharp, Stewart & Co. (7)
Beyer, Peacock & Co. (2)
1867–1880 1925–1947
L 0-6-0 18–19, 35 3 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1857–1861 1925–1933
L1 0-6-0 36–37 2 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1863 1928–1932
M 0-4-2 26 1 York Road Works 1873 1925
N 0-4-0ST 42 1 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1875 1925
O 0-4-2ST 60–62 3 Black, Hawthorn & Co 1874–1875 1911–1923 Narrow gauge locomotives; ex Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway 1–3; renumbered 101–103
P 2-4-0T 63–64 2 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1877–1878 1920–1928 Narrow gauge locomotives; ex Ballymena and Larne Railway 1 & 4; renumbered 104–105
Q 0-6-0T 65–67 3 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1977–1882 1931–1933 Narrow gauge locomotives; ex Ballymena & Larne Railway 2, 3 & 6; renumbered 106–108
R 2-6-0ST 68 1 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1880 1934 Narrow gauge locomotive; ex Ballymena & Larne Railway 5; renumbered 109
S 2-4-2T 69–70 2 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1882 1946–1954 Narrow gauge compound locomotives; renumbered 110–111
Northern Counties Committee (1903–1949)
Class Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
Date
withdrawn
Notes
A1 4-4-0 3, 4, 9, 17, 34, 64–66, 68 9 (1927–34) 1947–1954 Simple rebuilds of class A
B1 4-4-0 60, 61 3 (1921) (1932) Rebuilds of class B
B2 4-4-0 24 1 (1925) (1928) Simple rebuilds of class B
B3 4-4-0 21, 24, 28, 60, 61 5 (1927–32) 1938–1947 Simple rebuilds of classes B1, B2, C and C1
C1 2-4-0 21, 51, 52, 57 4 (1926–31) 1931–1947 Rebuilds of class C
D1 4-4-0 50 1 (1926) 1946 Rebuild of class D
E1 0-6-0 53–54 2 (1907–11) 1934–1944 Rebuilds of class E
F1 2-4-0 46 1 (1928) 1938 Rebuild of class F
G1 2-4-0 6, 10, 27 3 (1910–13) 1931–1933 Rebuilds of class G
K1 0-6-0 30, 32, 38–39, 43–44 6 (1909–22) 1927–1938 Rebuilds of class K
S 2-4-2T 112–113, 103–104 4 York Road Works 1908–1920 1938–1954 Narrow gauge compound locomotives; 112–113 renumbered 102–101
S1 2-4-2T 101–102 2 (1928–1930) 1942 Narrow gauge compound locomotives; rebuilds of class S; renumbered 41–42
S2 2-4-4T 110 1 (1931) 1946 Narrow gauge compound locomotive; rebuild of class S
T 90–91 2 Derby Works 1905 1913 Railmotor units
T 4-4-2T 113–114 2 Kitson & Co. 1908 1940–1942 Narrow gauge locomotives; ex Ballycastle Railway 3 & 4
N 0-4-0ST 16 1 York Road Works 1914 1951
U 4-4-0 14–15, 69–70 4 Derby Works 1914–1922 1924–1937 Renumbered 70–73; rebuilt as class U2
U1 4-4-0 1–4 4 York Road Works 1924–1931 1946–1949 Named after Glens
U2 4-4-0 70–87 18 North British Locomotive Co. (7)
York Road Works (7+4)
1924–1936 1956–1963
V 0-6-0 71–73 3 Derby Works 1923 1961–1964 “renumbered” X–Z; then 13–15
? 91 1 Sentinel Waggon Works 1925 1932
W 2-6-0 90–104 15 Derby Works (4)
York Road Works (11)
1933–1942 1956–1965 Most named
WT 2-6-4T 1–10, 50–57 18 Derby Works 1946–1950 1968–1971 Nicknamed “Jeeps”
X 0-6-0dh 17 1 Harland & Wolff 1936 1970 330 hp Diesel shunter
? 0-6-0dm 22 1 Harland & Wolff 1934 ? 175;hp Diesel shunter; ex War Department 233, né LMS 7057
Y 0-6-0T 18–19 2 W. G. Bagnall (1)
Hunslet Engine Co. (1)
1926–1928 1956–1963 Re-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 (Ireland) and the Midland Railway's Northern Counties Committee.

Class Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
Date
withdrawn
Notes [3]
1 2-4-0T 1–3 3 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1881 1909–1926
2 4-6-0T 4–9 6 Neilson & Co. 1893 1931–1937
3 4-4-4T 10–11 2 Neilson, Reid & Co. 1902 1933
4 4-6-4T 12–15 4 Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 1904 1953–1959 Renumbered 9–12 in 1937
5 2-6-4T 16–20 5 Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 1907 1940–1950 Renumbered 4–8 in 1937
5A 2-6-4T 21, 2A, 3A 3 Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 1912 1959 Renumbered 1–3 in 1937

Dundalk, Newry and Greenore Railway

Class Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
Date
withdrawn
Notes [4]
0-6-0ST 1–6 6 LNWR Crewe Works 1873–1898 1928–1951

Great Northern Railway

The Great Northern Railway (Ireland) straddled the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland (after 1921), and so was not incorporated in either the CIE or UTA. 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 CIE and UTA, until 30 September 1958 when it was dissolved and the remaining stock split equally between the two railways.

? (1877–1881)
Class Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
Date
withdrawn
Notes
B 0-6-0 6, 26–27, 34, 62–63, 65–67 9 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1877–1880 1925–1938
G 2-4-0 24–25, 46–47, 59, 80 6 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1877–1883 1913–1921 Several renumbered
H 2-4-0 84–87 4 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1880–1881 1931–1932
James Crawford Park (1881–1895)
Class Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
1958
CIÉ
1958
UTA
Date
withdrawn
Notes
A 0-6-0 28, 31, 33, 79–83, 60–61, 64, 145–146, 149–150 15 Beyer, Peacock & Co. (13)
Dundalk Works (2)
1882–1891 3 0 1937–1961 Several renumbered; three sold to SL&NCR
BT 4-4-0T 2–8, 91–92, 97–100 13 Beyer, Peacock & Co. (3)
Dundalk Works (10)
1885–1893 1910–1935 Several renumbered
J 4-4-0 17–21, 45, 48, 115–119 12 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1885–1889 1921–1934 45/48 renumbered 15/16; two sold to SL&NCR
JS 4-2-2 88–89 2 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1885 1904 Named Victoria and Albert
P 4-4-0 51–54, 72–73, 82–83 8 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1892–1895 3 0 1950–1959 Rebuilt with superheaters as class Ps
AL 0-6-0 29, 32, 36, 55–59, 151–153 11 Beyer, Peacock & Co. (7)
Dundalk Works (4)
1893–1896 6 2 1957–1961 151/152 renumbered 141/140
JT 2-4-2T 90, 93–94, 95, 13–14 6 Dundalk Works 1895–1902 1 0 1955–1963 13/14 renumbered 91/92
Charles Clifford (1895–1912)
Class Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
1958
CIÉ
1958
UTA
Date
withdrawn
Notes
PP 4-4-0 12, 25, 42–46, 50, 70–71, 74–77, 106–107, 129 17 Beyer, Peacock & Co. (15)
Dundalk Works (2)
1896–1911 5 7 1957–1963 Rebuilt with superheaters as class PPs
PG 0-6-0 10–11, 78, 100–103 7 Neilson, Reid & Co. (3)
Dundalk Works (4)
1899–1904 0 7 1960–1964 Rebuilt with superheaters as class PGs
Q 4-4-0 120–125, 130–136 13 Neilson, Reid & Co. (9)
North British Loco. Co. (2)
Beyer, Peacock & Co. (2)
1899–1904 5 4 1951–1963 Rebuilt with superheaters as class Qs
QG 0-6-0 152–155 4 North British Loco. Co. 1903–1904 4 0 1962–1963 Rebuilt with superheaters as class QGs
P 4-4-0 88–89, 104–105 4 Dundalk Works 1904–1906 1 0 1956–1960 Rebuilt with superheaters as class Ps
QL 4-4-0 24, 113–114, 126–128, 156–157 8 North British Loco. Co. (7)
Beyer, Peacock & Co. (1)
1904–1910 0 3 1932–1960 Rebuilt with superheaters as class QLs
QGT 0-6-2T 98–99 2 R. Stephenson & Co. 1905 1 0 1957–1960 Rebuilt with superheaters as class QGTs
LQG 0-6-0 78, 108, 110–111, 158–164 11 North British Loco. Co. (9)
Dundalk Works (2)
1906–1908 6 5 1958–1963 Rebuilt with superheated as class LQGs
RT 0-6-4T 22–23, 166–167 4 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1908–1911 0 4 1958–1963
NQG 0-6-0 9, 38–39, 109, 112 5 Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 1911 2 3 1958–1963 Four rebuilt with superheaters as class NQGs; one rebuilt to class LQGs
NLQG 0-6-0 165 1 Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 1911 0 1 1961 Rebuilt to class LQGs
QGT2 0-6-2T 168–169 2 R. Stephenson & Co. 1911 1957
S 4-4-0 170–174 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1913 3 2 1964–1965 Named after mountains; CIÉ locos to UTA in 1963
SG 0-6-0 37, 40–41, 137–138 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1913 3 2 1961–1965
G. T. Glover (1912–1933)
Class Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
1958
CIÉ
1958
UTA
Date
withdrawn
Notes
T 4-4-2T 185–189 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1913 1 4 1959–1964 Rebuilt with superheaters as class T1
SG2 0-6-0 180–184 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1915 3 2 1961–1963
S2 4-4-0 190–192 3 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1915 1 2 1960–65
U 4-4-0 196–200 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1915 3 2 1959–1963 Named after Loughs
SG3 0-6-0 6–8, 13–14, 20, 47–49, 96–97, 117–118, 201–202 15 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1920–1921 7 8 1960–1967 201–202 renumbered 40–41
T2 4-4-2T 1–5 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1921 2 3 1959–1964
T2 4-4-2T 21, 30, 115–116, 139, 142–144, 147–148 10 Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 1924 6 4 1958–1963 147–148 renumbered 67 and 69
SG2 0-6-0 15–19 5 Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 1924–1926 2 3 1959–1965
Crane 0-6-0CT 31 1 Hawthorn Leslie 1928 0 0 1963 to Dundalk Engineering Co. (as part of Dundalk Works) in 1958; to CIÉ in 1960
T2 4-4-2T 62–66 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1929–1930 3 2 1959–1960
V 4-4-0 83–87 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1932 2 3 1959–1963 Three-cylinder compound; named after birds of prey
G. B. Howden (1933–1939)
Class Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
1958
CIÉ
1958
UTA
Date
withdrawn
Notes
UG 0-6-0 78–82 5 Dundalk Works 1937 2 3 1960–1965 [5]
H. R. McIntosh (1939–1953)
Class Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
1958
CIÉ
1958
UTA
Date
withdrawn
Notes
UG 0-6-0 145–149 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1948 3 2 1960–1968 [5]
U 4-4-0 201–205 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1948 2 3 1962–1965 Named after counties
VS 4-4-0 206–210 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1948 3 2 1960–1965 [5] Three-cylinder simple; named after rivers

Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway

Broad gauge locomotives (1862–1882)
Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
Date
withdrawn
Notes [6]
0-6-0T 1–2 2 G&W 1862 1883–1885 No. 2 renumbered 3; No. 1 sold to Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners
0-6-0ST 3–4 2 Robert Stephenson & Co. 1864 1869–1882 No. 4 renumbered 2; Sold to Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners
0-6-0T 4–5 2 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1876–1879 1885 Sold to Cork and Bandon Railway as their Nos. 14–15
Narrow gauge locomotives (1882–1954)
Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
Date
withdrawn
Notes [6]
0-6-2WT 1 1 Black, Hawthorn & Co 1882 1911 Sold to a contractor
0-6-2T 2–3 2 Black, Hawthorn & Co 1883 1912–1913
0-6-0T 4 1 Black, Hawthorn & Co 1885 1940 renumbered 17 in 1913
2-4-0T 5–6 2 Robert Stephenson & Co. 1874 1899 Ex Glenariff Iron Ore and Harbour Company, acquired 1885; renumbered 5A and 6A in 1899
4-6-2T 5–8 4 Hudswell Clarke 1899–1902 1940–1954 5 and 6 renumbered 15 and 16 in 1913
4-6-0T 1–4 4 Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. 1902 1940–1954 Owned by the Letterkenny and Burtonport Extension Railway
4-6-2T 9–10 2 Kerr Stuart 1904 1928–1954
4-8-0 11–12 2 Hudswell Clarke 1905 1933–1954
4-6-2T 13–14 2 Hawthorn Leslie 1910 1940–1943 to Letterkenny and Burtonport Extension Railway in exchange for L&BER 5 and 6
4-8-4T 5–6 2 Hudswell Clarke 1912 1954 Owned 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 numbrs, only names.

Class Type Names Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
Date
withdrawn
Notes
Pioneer 0-6-2T Pioneer
Sligo
2 Avonside Engine Co. 1877 1921
Leitrim 0-6-4T Fermanagh
Leitrim
Lurganboy
Lissadell
Hazlewood
5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1882–1899 1947–1957 also known as Fermanagh class
Erne 4-4-0T Erne 1 Hudswell Clarke 1883 1910 rebuilt as 4-4-2T in 1885
Faugh-a-Ballagh 0-4-0ST Faugh-a-Ballagh 1 Hunslet Engine Co. 1878 ? Acquired 1897: ex contractors' locomotive
Waterford 0-6-0T Waterford 1 Hunslet Engine Co. 1893 ? Acquired 1897: ex contractors' locomotive
Sir Henry 0-6-4T Sir Henry
Enniskillen
Lough Gill
3 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1904–1917 1957
Glencar 4-4-0 Blacklion
Glencar
(2) Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1885–87 1928–1931 Acquired 1921: ex GNRI Class J nos. 118 (Blacklion) and 119 (Glencar)
Sligo 0-6-0 Glencar ‘A’
Sligo
Sligo
(3) Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1882–1890 1940–1949 Acquired 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 & Co. 1949 1957 to 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-numrical 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.

Letter Wheel
Arrangement
Letter Wheel
Arrangement
Letter Wheel
Arrangement
A 4-8-0 F 2-4-2 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 0-6-2 N 2-2-2
E 0-4-4 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. CIE 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)
J. A. F. Aspinall (1883–1886)
H. A. Ivatt (1886–1896)
R. Coey (1896–1911)
R. E. L. 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.

Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
GSWR
Class
GSWR
Nos.
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
Withdrawn Notes
2-2-2 WLR 1 to 6 6 Stothert & Slaughter 1847 1860–1862
2-2-2 WLR 7 1 ? ? 1871 Acquired secondhand from William Dargan in 1853; origin unknown
2-2-2 WLR 8 to 10 3 Bury, Curtis and Kennedy 1848–49 1880–88 Acquired 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 1853–55 264 264 1872–1903
0-4-2 WLR 13 to 16 4 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1853–54 1891–96
0-4-2 WLR 4 to 6 3 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1862–64 223 223 1890–1901
2-2-2 WLR 28 1 Kitson & Co. 1864 280 280 1902
0-4-0ST WLR 29 1 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1865 228 228 228 1925
0-4-2 WLR 3 and 7 2 Kitson & Co. 1876 1888–92
2-4-0 WLR 25, 31 to 32, 8, 35 to 39 10 Vulcan Foundry 1874–82 281 277, 281–283, 261, 285–289 1902–11
0-4-2 WLR 19, 26, 27 and 33 4 Avonside Engine Co. 1876 278 272, 278, 284 1899–1910
0-6-0T WLR 34 1 ? ? 229 229 1901 Acquired secondhand in 1878
0-6-0 WLR 40 and 41 2 Vulcan Foundry 1883 230 230–231 1909–10
0-6-0WT WLR 42 1 Hawthorns & Co. (Leith) 1862 232 232 1901 Acquired secondhand in 1883; ex Neath & Brecon Railway No. 3; né Anglesey Central Railway
0-6-0 WLR 1 1 R. Stephenson & Co. 1879 221 221 1909 Acquired second-hand in 1884; rebuilt as 0-6-0ST in 1899
4-4-0 WLR 9 1 Dübs & Co. 1886 262 262 1912
4-4-0 WLR 12 1 Vulcan Foundry 1886 265 265 1907
0-6-0 WLR 24 1 Dübs & Co. 1886 227 227 1910
J. G. Robinson (1888–1900)[7]
Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
GSWR
Class
GSWR
Nos.
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
Withdrawn Notes
0-6-0 WLR 5 to 7 3 Limerick Works 1888–93 224 224 to 226 1905–1909
2-4-0 WLR 10, 22, 20, 23, 43, 44, 47, and 48 8 Dübs & Co. 1889–94 276 263, 275, 273, 276, 290 to 293 276 G3 1907–1959
2-4-2T WLR 13 and 14 2 Vulcan Foundry 1891 266 226 and 227 267
491
F4
F5
1933–1935 226 sold to CMDR 6 in 1913; to GSR 491 in 1925
0-4-2T WLR 3 1 Limerick Works 1892 260 260 1912
0-6-0 WLR 45, 46, 49, and 50 4 Dübs & Co. 1893–95 233 233 to 236 235 J22 1911–1951
0-4-4T WLR 15 1 Limerick Works 1894 268 268 1912
0-4-4T WLR 51 and 52 2 Kitson & Co. 1895 294 294 and 295 295 E2 1910–1954
4-4-2T WLWR 16 to 18, and 21 4 Kitson & Co. 1896–97 269 269 to 271, 274 269 C5 1949–1957
4-4-0 WLWR 53 to 55 3 Kitson & Co. 1896–97 296 296 to 298 296 D15 1928–1949
0-6-0 WLWR 56 to 58 3 Kitson & Co. 1897 237 237 to 239 222 J25 1934–1951
0-4-4T WLWR 27 1 Limerick Works 1899 279 279 279 E1 1953
0-6-0 WLWR 2, 4, 11 3 Kitson & Co. 1900 222 222, 222 J25 1929–1950 4 and 11 sold before delivery to MGWR 141 and 142

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.

? (1853–1856)
Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Withdrawn Notes
2-4-0 D&WR 1 and 2 2 William Fairbairn & Sons 1853 1892–1901 No. 2 renumbered 45 in 1885
2-4-0 D&WR 3 1 William Fairbairn & Sons 1853 1898 Rebuilt as 2-4-0T in 1884
2-4-0 D&WR 4 and 5 2 William Fairbairn & Sons 1853 1872–1900 No. 5 renumbered 5A in 1897
2-2-2ST D&WR 6, 7, 10 and 11 4 Vulcan Foundry 1854–55 1902–03 Renumbered 6A, 7A, 10A, 11 between 1894 and 1896
2-4-0ST D&WR 8 and 9 2 Vulcan Foundry 1855 1890–1903 Rebuilt as 2-4-0T
2-4-0 DWWR 12 to 14 3 William Fairbairn & Sons 1860 1902–23
0-4-2 DWWR 15 and 16 2 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1860 1922–25
0-4-2 DWWR 17 to 23 7 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1864 1899–1925 No. 21 rebuilt as 0-4-2T in 1904
J. Wakefield (1865–1882)
Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Withdrawn Notes
2-4-0 DWWR 24 to 26, 32, and 33 4 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1864–73 422 G7 1925 No. 26 rebuilt as 2-4-0T in 1900
2-2-2WT DWWR Ariel et al 7 Neilson & Co. 1865 1886–94 Four sold to contractors
2-2-2WT DWWR 27 and 28 2 Great Canal Street Works 1869 1887
2-2-2WT DWWR 29 to 31, 34 to 36, 4, 40 and 27 9 Great Canal Street Works (7)
Neilson & Co. (2)
1871–1887 1902–23 4 renumbered 30 in 1902
0-4-2 DWWR 37 to 39 3 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1876 1923–25
2-4-0WT DWWR 41 1 Great Canal Street Works 1882 1925 rebuilt as 2-4-0T in 1903
W. Wakefield (1882–1894)
Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Withdrawn Notes
2-4-0T DWWR 42 to 44 3 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1883 1925
2-4-0T DWWR 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 to 11, 28, 45 to 47, and 49 12 Great Canal Street Works 1885–96 423 G1 423–426 1925–55 10, 11, 28, 45, 46 rebuilt as 2-4-2T between 1900 and 1910
2-4-2T 3 1 Great Canal Street Works 1898 428 F2 428 1953
2-4-2T 10, 11, 28, 45, 46 (5) (1900–10) 428 F2 429–422 1925–57 rebuilt from 2-4-0T
0-6-0 DWWR 50 and 51 2 Vulcan Foundry 1891 447 J7 447 1925–30
4-4-2T DWWR 52 to 54 3 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1893 458 C3 458–460 1953–1960
T. Grierson (1894–1897)
Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Withdrawn Notes
4-4-0 DWWR 55 to 58 4 Vulcan Foundry 1895–96 450 D9 450–453 1929–40
R. Cronin (1897–1917)
Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Withdrawn Notes
0-6-2T DWWR 4 and 5 2 Kitson & Co. 1897 448 J1 448–449 1940–50 rebuilt as 0-6-0 in 1908
0-6-0 DWWR 17 1 Grand Canal Street Works 1899 440 J20 440 1929
0-4-2 DWWR 48 1 Grand Canal Street Works 1899 1913
0-6-0 DWWR 36 1 Grand Canal Street Works 1900 441 J14 441 1934
2-4-2T DWWR 8, 12, 27, 29, 30, 40 6 Grand Canal Street Works 1901–09 434 F1 434–439 1950–53
2-4-2T DWWR 59 to 64 6 Crewe Works 1883–96 427 427 1916–36 ex London and North Western Railway 4-ft 6-in Tanks, acquired 1902 and regauged
0-6-0 DWWR 13, 14, 65, and 66 4 Grand Canal Street Works (2)
Beyer, Peacock & Co. (2)
1905 442 J8 442–446 1930–1957
4-4-0 DWWR 67 and 68 2 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1905 454 D8 454 1925–1949
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) Imp M1 Elf
Imp
1928–31 Rebuilt from railmotors 1 and 2; later Class M2
0-6-0 DSER 18 1 Grand Canal Street Works 1910 444 444 1957
4-4-2T DSER 20, 34, and 35 3 Grand Canal Street Works (1)
Beyer, Peacock & Co. (2)
1911–1924 455 C2 455–457 1955–59
G. H. Wild (1917–1924)
Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Withdrawn Notes
2-6-0 DSER 15 and 16 2 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1922 461 K2 461–462 1963–65

Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway (to 1924)

Type Fleet
numbers
Quantity
made
Manufacturer Date
made
GSR
Class
Inchicore
Class
GSR
Nos.
Withdrawn Notes
0-2-2WT 1, 2 2 William Bridges Adams 1849 1867
2-2-2 3, 4 2 Vulcan Foundry 1849–1851 1889–1890
0-4-2 5, 6 2 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1852 1879–1887
2-4-0T 1, 2, 8, 13 and 4A 5 Dübs & Co. 1874–1887 482 G6 477, 482 1919–1930
2-4-0T 9 and 10 2 J. Cross 1865 1893–1895 ex West Cork Railways 1 and 2, acquired 1880
2-4-0ST 11 1 Vulcan Foundry 1877 1904 ex West Cork Railways 3, acquired 1880
0-6-0ST 5, 6, 12, 16, 17 5 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1891–1894 472
474
475
J24
J23
J21
1925–40
0-6-0T 14, 15 2 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1876–1879 1908–1910 ex 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 & Co. (2)
Neilson & Co. (2)
1891–1894 471
479
 
C6
471
479–481
1930–1936 most 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 1900 1912–1914
4-4-0T CBSCR 7 1 Cork Works 1901 478 478 1934
4-6-0T 4, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20 8 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1906–1920 463 B4 463–470 1945–1961

Minor broad gauge railways

Waterford and Tramore Railway

Cork and Macroom Direct Railway

Timoleague and Courtmacsherry Light Railway

Narrow gauge railways

Cavan and Leitrim Railway (to 1924)

Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway (to 1924)

Cork and Muskerry Light Railway (to 1924)

Schull and Skibbereen Railway (to 1924)

Tralee and Dingle Light Railway (to 1924)

West Clare Railway (to 1924)

Bord Na Mona

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

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

Image Company Number / Name Class Type Manufacturer Serial No. Date Notes
5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Belfast & County Down Railway 30 4-4-2T Beyer, Peacock & Co. 4231 1901 Static display, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Belfast
Northern Counties Committee 74 Dunluce Castle U2 4-4-0 North British Locomotive Co. 23096 1924 Static display, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Belfast
Northern Counties Committee 4 WT 2-6-4T Derby Works 1947 Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, Whitehead, Co. Antrim
Great Northern Railway (Ireland) 93 Sutton JT 2-4-2T Dundalk Works 1895 Static display, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Belfast
Great Northern Railway (Ireland) 131 Uranus Q 4-4-0 Neilson, Reid & Co. 5757 1901 Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, Whitehead, Co. Antrim
Great Northern Railway (Ireland) 171 Slieve Gullion S 4-4-0 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 5629 1913 Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, Whitehead, Co. Antrim
Great Northern Railway (Ireland) 85 Merlin V 4-4-0 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 6733 1932 Under restoration by RPSI, for owner UFTM
Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway Lough Erne Lough 0-6-4T Beyer, Peacock & Co. 7242 1949 Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, Whitehead, Co. Antrim
Dublin and South Eastern Railway 15 →
GSR 461
15–16 2-6-0 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 6112 1922 Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, Whitehead, Co. Antrim
Great Southern & Western Railway 36 2-2-2 Bury, Curtis, and Kennedy 1847 Static display, Cork Kent railway station
Great Southern & Western Railway 90 90 0-6-0T Inchicore Works 1875 Engine portion of former Castleisland Railway steam railcar; Downpatrick and County Down Railway
Great Southern & Western Railway 184 101 0-6-0 Inchicore Works 1880 Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, Whitehead, Co. Antrim
Great Southern & Western Railway 186 101 0-6-0 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 2838 1879 Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, Whitehead, Co. Antrim
Great Southern Railways 800
Maeḋḃ
800 4-6-0 Inchicore Works 1939 Static display, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Belfast
Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners 1 0-6-0ST Robert Stephenson & Co. 2738 1891 Static display, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Belfast
Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners 3 R.H. Smyth 0-6-0ST Avonside Engine Co. 2021 1928 Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, Whitehead, Co. Antrim
Cómhlucht Siúicre Éireann Thurles
No. 1
0-4-0T Orenstein & Koppel 12475 1934 Downpatrick and County Down Railway
Cómhlucht Siúicre Éireann Mallow
No. 3
0-4-0T Orenstein & Koppel 12662 1935 Downpatrick and County Down Railway
Guinness Brewery 3 0-4-0ST Hudswell Clarke 1152 1915 Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, Whitehead, Co. Antrim
3 ft (914 mm) gauge
County Donegal Railways Joint Committee 16 Donegal
4 Meenglas
5 2-6-4T Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 828 1907 Foyle Valley Railway
County Donegal Railways Joint Committee 17 Glenties
5 Drumboe
5 2-6-4T Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 829 1907 Donegal Heritage Centre
County Donegal Railways Joint Committee 18 Killybegs
6 Columbkille
5 2-6-4T Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 830 1907 Foyle Valley Railway
County Donegal Railways Joint Committee 2A Strabane
2 Blanche
5A 2-6-4T Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 956 1912 Static display, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Belfast
Cavan & Leitrim Railway 2 Kathleen 1–8 4-4-0T Robert Stephenson & Co. 2613 1887 Static display, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Belfast
Cavan & Leitrim Railway 3 Lady Edith 1–8 4-4-0T Robert Stephenson & Co. 2614 1887 New Jersey Museum of Transportation
Tralee and Dingle Light Railway 5 5 2-6-2T Hunslet Engine Co. 555 1892
West Clare Railway 5 Slieve Callan 5–7 0-6-2T Dübs & Co. 2890 1892
Portstewart Tramway 1 1–2 0-4-0T Kitson & Co. T56 1882
Portstewart Tramway 2 1–2 0-4-0T Kitson & Co. T84 1883
British Aluminium 1 0-4-0T Peckett and Sons 1026 1904 Working order, Giant's Causeway and Bushmills Railway No. 1 Tyrone
British Aluminium 2 0-4-0T Peckett and Sons 1097 1906 Static display, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Belfast
Bord na Móna 1 → LM43 1–3 0-4-0WT Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. 2263 1949 Rebuilt by Talyllyn Railway to 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) as their No. 7 Tom Rolt
Bord na Móna 2 → LM44 1–3 0-4-0WT Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. 2264 1949 Owned by Irish Steam Preservation Society
Bord na Móna 3 → LM45 1–3 0-4-0WT Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. 2265 1949 Working order, Giant's Causeway and Bushmills Railway No. 3 Shane
1 ft 10 in (559 mm) gauge
Guinness Brewery 13 0-4-0T William Spence and Son 1895 Static display, Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, Tywyn, Wales
Guinness Brewery 15 0-4-0T William Spence and Son 1895
Guinness Brewery 17 0-4-0T William Spence and Son 1902
Guinness Brewery 20 0-4-0T William Spence and Son 1905 Static display, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Belfast
Guinness Brewery 21 0-4-0T William Spence and Son 1905
Guinness Brewery 23 0-4-0T William Spence and Son 1921 Static display, Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre, Amberley, West Sussex

See also

References

  1. Rowledge 1993, pp. 40–42.
  2. "Locomotives of the Belfast and County Down Railway". The Belfast & County Down Railway Museum Trust. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
  3. Rowledge 1993, pp. 116–118.
  4. Rowlegde 1993, p. 118.
  5. 1 2 3 Rowledge 1993, pp. 37, 56, 114.
  6. 1 2 Rowledge 1993, pp. 115.
  7. Haresnape & Rowledge (1982), pp. 17–27
  8. Tom Rolt

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, March 17, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.