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Steam Locomotives of the Great Southern and Predecessors[Inhalt]
Great Southern & Western class 101 “Standard Goods”
Great Southern class J15
Ireland | 1866
111 produced
No. 186 with Belpaire firebox and superheater in June 2010 at Whitehead, Antrim
No. 186 with Belpaire firebox and superheater in June 2010 at Whitehead, Antrim
Guinness040ST

The most numerous class of Irish locomotives was a six-coupled goods locomotive, which was purchased 111 times over a period of 37 years. It carried the class number 101 on the GS&WR and was designated class J15 on the Great Southern from 1925. Thanks to their low axle loads, they could also be used on branch lines, where they even pulled passenger trains.

Schematic drawing in original state
Schematic drawing in original state
Locomotive Magazine, January 1918

The design was by Alexander McDonnell, who was locomotive superintendent from 1864 to 1883. Most examples were built at GS&WR's Inchicore works, but a smaller number came from the UK by Beyer, Peacock & Co and Sharp, Stewart & Co. Some of the examples built at Inchicore used components of old 0-4-2 goods locomotives.

Schematic drawing in rebuilt state
Schematic drawing in rebuilt state
Locomotive Magazine, February 1918

All locomotives built up to 1881 had cylinders with a diameter of 17 inches and a stroke of 24 inches. The boiler was initially made of iron and could therefore only be operated at a pressure of 140 psi. Later boilers were of steel and could be approved for 150 and later 160 psi. From 1882, cylinders with a diameter of 18 inches were installed.

An attempt to increase efficiency was number 165, built in 1888 with a compound engine with cylinders of 18 and 26 inches. As expected, this was more economical than its sisters, but could not muster the same pulling power. In 1896 it got the same cylinders as its sisters with simple steam expansion. The larger boilers that were installed in the last locomotives built in 1902 and 1903 were more successful. Later, a large number of locomotives were fitted with the same boiler. Many also got superheated boilers with Belpaire fireboxes

In heavy goods use, the class 101 could pull up to 45 loaded cars. Limits were set only by the relatively low adhesive weight on wet tracks. In addition, the relatively small boiler did not have very much power reserves. After more powerful goods locomotives were procured at the turn of the century, the operational area of the class 101 shifted almost entirely to branch lines. Nevertheless, new locomotives were introduced in 1929 and 1934 with the classes 700 (J15a) and 710 (J15b), which were based directly on the class 101. The last were not retired until 1963.

Variant17 inch18 inchNo. 165 compound
General
Built1866-18811882-19031888
ManufacturerInchicore, Beyer, Peacock & Co., Sharp, Stewart & Co.Inchicore
Axle config0-6-0 (Six-coupled) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase15 ft 6 in
Rigid wheelbase15 ft 6 in
Service weight72,128 lbs77,280 lbs
Adhesive weight72,128 lbs77,280 lbs
Total weight135,968 lbs141,120 lbs
Axle load26,208 lbs29,344 lbs
Water capacity2,239 us gal
Fuel capacity8,960 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area17.5 sq ft
Firebox area96 sq ft
Tube heating area856 sq ft764 sq ft
Evaporative heating area952 sq ft860 sq ft
Total heating area952 sq ft860 sq ft
Variant17 inch18 inchNo. 165 compound
Power Plant
Driver diameter61.8 in
Boiler pressure140 psi160 psi150 psi
Expansion typesimplecompound
Cylinderstwo, 17 x 24 intwo, 18 x 24 intwo, HP: 18 x 24 in
and LP: 26 x 24 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power325 hp (242 kW)350 hp (261 kW)
Optimal speed16 mph13 mph21 mph
Starting effort13,367 lbf17,126 lbf10,854 lbf
with start valve13,025 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
Alexander McDonnell
last changed: 06/2022
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Great Southern & Western class 355
Great Southern class K3
Ireland | 1903
7 produced
As built as 0-6-0
As built as 0-6-0
Locomotive Magazine, March 1904

Due to the strikes that took place at the GS&WR's Inchicore works in 1902, Superintendent Robert Coey had the class 355 built by Sharp, Stewart & Co. These were seven 0-6-0 freight locomotives, which stood out due to their high boiler. Their problem was that the first driving axle had a particularly high axle load

Rebuilt to 2-6-0
Rebuilt to 2-6-0
Locomotive Magazine, March 1918

Therefore, from 1907 onwards they were rebuilt to the 2-6-0 wheel arrangement, with the axle load of the first driving axle now being slightly lower than that of the other two. Instead of a bissel axle, a leading axle with a radially adjustable bearing was used, and a longer smokebox was also installed. They were withdrawn between 1955 and 1960.

Variantas builtrebuilt 2-6-0
General
Built19031907
ManufacturerSharp. Stewart & Co.Inchicore
Axle config0-6-0 (Six-coupled) 2-6-0 (Mogul) 
Gauge5 ft 3 in (Irish broad gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase17 ft
Rigid wheelbase17 ft22 ft
Total wheelbase38 ft 7 in
Empty weight98,448 lbs
Service weight110,096 lbs115,976 lbs
Adhesive weight110,096 lbs
Total weight182,896 lbs200,704 lbs
Axle load39,312 lbs35,840 lbs
Water capacity3,963 us gal4,017 us gal
Fuel capacity11,200 lbs (coal)15,680 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area24.8 sq ft
Firebox area132 sq ft
Tube heating area1,403 sq ft
Evaporative heating area1,535 sq ft
Total heating area1,535 sq ft
Variantas builtrebuilt 2-6-0
Power Plant
Driver diameter61.8 in
Boiler pressure160 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 19 x 26 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power825 hp (615 kW)
Optimal speed25 mph
Starting effort20,672 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
Robert Coey
last changed: 03/2024
Great Southern & Western class 400
Irish Transport Company class B2
Ireland | 1916
10 produced
Photo from an Armstrong-Whitworth catalog
Photo from an Armstrong-Whitworth catalog

After Edward A. Watson became acquainted with the Star class at the GWR, he designed the class 400 for the Great Southern & Western based on it. Similarities included, above all, the 4-6-0 wheel arrangement and the four cylinders with simple expansion. In 1916 only the prototype with the number 400 was initially built in Inchicore. Its problem was that the frames were too thin and there were inadequate bolsters for the steam pipes, which often led to them breaking. In addition, the consumption of water and coal was too high.

From 1921 onwards, further locomotives were built, which received some improvements. Together with others from Armstrong Whitworth, the number rose to ten. However, since these were not entirely convincing, the seven remaining locomotives were rebuilt between 1927 and 1937 with two larger cylinders. Some were almost completely rebuilt, while the changes to others were limited. In this form they were successful, so that the last one was used until 1961.

General
Built1916, 1921-1923
ManufacturerInchicore, Armstrong Whitworth
Axle config4-6-0 (Ten-wheeler) 
Gauge5 ft 3 in (Irish broad gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase27 ft 1 in
Rigid wheelbase15 ft 3 in
Total wheelbase49 ft 4 in
Service weight158,368 lbs
Adhesive weight113,568 lbs
Total weight239,680 lbs
Axle load38,752 lbs
Water capacity4,017 us gal
Fuel capacity15,680 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area28 sq ft
Firebox area158 sq ft
Tube heating area1,614 sq ft
Evaporative heating area1,772 sq ft
Superheater area440 sq ft
Total heating area2,212 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter79 in
Boiler pressure175 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylindersfour, 14 x 26 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power1,200 hp (895 kW)
Optimal speed40 mph
Starting effort19,191 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
express
last changed: 02/2024
Midland Great Western class A
Great Southern class D5
Ireland | 1902
6 produced
Locomotive Magazine, September 1902
sectional drawing
sectional drawing
Locomotive Magazine, September 1901

The class A were the heaviest locomotives in Ireland at the time they entered service. Their job was to haul heavy express trains between the east and west coasts. Due to their high axle load, they could not be used everywhere. The first locomotive was rebuilt as early as 1916, with a superheater and larger cylinders. Due to differences, the rebuilt locomotives were designated as Class A1 or As. With the exception of one locomotive, all the others were only retired between 1954 and 1959.

Variantas builtsuperheated
General
Built1902-19051916-1926
ManufacturerBroadstone
Axle config4-4-0 (American) 
Gauge5 ft 3 in (Irish broad gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length54 ft 6 1/2 in
Length loco31 ft 3 1/2 in
Wheelbase22 ft 6 in
Rigid wheelbase9 ft 3 in
Service weight114,016 lbs
Adhesive weight76,496 lbs
Total weight194,208 lbs
Axle load40,096 lbs
Water capacity3,603 us gal
Fuel capacity11,200 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area20 sq ft
Firebox area150 sq ft
Tube heating area1,213 sq ft832.5 sq ft
Evaporative heating area1,363 sq ft982.5 sq ft
Superheater area211 sq ft
Total heating area1,363 sq ft1,193.5 sq ft
Variantas builtsuperheated
Power Plant
Driver diameter75 in
Boiler pressure180 psi175 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 18 x 26 intwo, 19 x 26 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power750 hp (559 kW)950 hp (708 kW)
Optimal speed28 mph33 mph
Starting effort17,185 lbf18,616 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
express
Henry Edward Cusack
last changed: 03/2023
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