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MGWR Class W

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Class of 6 Irish 0-6-0 locomotives

MGWR W Class
GSR 222/234 Classes
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerJohn G. Robinson
BuilderKitson
Build date1897–1901
Total produced6 (4 WLWR) 2 (MGWR)
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte0-6-0
Gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Driver dia.5 ft 2 in (1,570 mm)
Career
OperatorsMidland Great Western Railway (MGWR)
Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway (WLWR)
Great Southern and Western Railway (GSWR)
Great Southern Railways (GSR)
CIÉ
Number in class6
NumbersWLWR/GSWR 2, 56–58
MGWR 233/234
GSR 222, 233, 234 237–239
LocaleIreland
Withdrawn1929–1951
DispositionAll scrapped

The Great Southern Railways (GSR) 222/234 Classes 0-6-0 originated from 2 batches of 3 locomotives built for the Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway (WLWR) by Kitson with a contract payment dispute resulting in the final two members going to Midland Great Western Railway becoming MGWR Class W.

Fleet

WLWR No. MGWR No. Name Built GSWR/GSR No. GSR Class Inchicore Class Withdrawn
2 – Shannon 1900 222 222 J25 1949
(4 allocated) 141 Limerick 1901 233 234 J17 1929
(11 allocated) 142 Athenry 1901 234 234 J17 1950
56 – Thunderer 1897 237 222 J25 1951
57 – Cyclops 1897 238 222 J25 1934
58 – Goliath 1897 239 222 J25 1949

History

This class was a set of 2 batches of 3 locomotives for the WLWR designed by John G. Robinson. The lead member of the second batch, No. 2, was notable as the first Irish broad gauge locomotive to have a Belpaire firebox from new and the first to have the long slender chimney set to become synonymous with Robinson locomotives. The final two of the batch were held back on a payment dispute issue from the WLWR amalgamation into the GSWR in 1901 and opportunely purchased by the MGWR in the meanwhile. The locomotives were the first on the MGWR to have Belpaire firebox.

Upon the 1901 amalgation the WLWR locomotives were renumbered 222, 237, 238 and 239 and retained those numbers with the merger into the Great Southern Railways (GSR) in 1925. All four were rebuilt to the same specification in the period 1924–1924 and became GSR Class 222. These locomotives were used on goods traffic in the Waterford, Limerick and Tuam area. As of 1948 it was considered their maximum haulage load was 8 wagons less than the GSR standard goods.

The MGWR locomotives were based at Mullingar and typically used on goods to Cavan and Longford. MGWR locomotive 141 seemed slated for early withdrawal leaving 142 to become the only member of GSR Class 234. By 1938 this remaining locomotive has become based at Sligo.

References

  1. Shepherd, Ernie (1994). The Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland – An illustrated History. Midland Publishing Limited. pp. 88, 130. ISBN 1-85780-008-7.
  2. ^ Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. pp. 90, 91, 182. ISBN 9781906578268.
Steam locomotives of Ireland
Belfast and County Down Railway (1846–1948)
Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (1860–1903)
Northern Counties Committee (1903–1949)
Great Northern Railway (1876–1958)
Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway (1875–1957)
Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway (1849–1924)
Dublin and Kingstown Railway (1834–1856)
Dublin and South Eastern Railway (1854–1925)
Great Southern and Western Railway (1845–1924)
Midland Great Western Railway (1847–1924)
Great Southern Railways (1925–1944)
Córas Iompair Éireann (1945–1962)
Tralee and Dingle Light Railway (1891–1953)
Industrial engines
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