Power type Diesel-electric Serial number 27467–57503 | Order number 700438–700474 Model JL8 | |
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Builder General Motors Electro Motive Division, La Grange, Illinois, USA Build date October to November 1962 | ||
The Córas Iompair Éireann 141 class locomotives were delivered in November and December 1962 from General Motors Electro Motive Division (EMD), the first consignment being unloaded at the North Wall, Dublin on 22 November. They were numbered B141 to B177 and were an updated version of the earlier 121 Class locomotives, mechanically very similar but with cabs at each end.
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 new 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 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 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In later years, regular passenger duties included trains on the Rosslare to Waterford/Limerick lines, until they were superseded by railcars on these duties.
The remaining locomotives, nos. 141, 142, 144, 146, 147, 152, 162, 171, 175 and 177, were finally withdrawn in February 2010. However, 171 was reinstated for a short time, and was confined to pilot duties in the Dublin area. This has now also stopped.
645 Engine Fitted: 142 145 148 149 151 163 164 166 170 173 567 Engine Refitted: 146 152 167 175Accidents and incidents
Preservation
RPSI
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 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 livery as B142 at Inchicore, and ran an enthusiasts' special on 24 February 2010 with B141. Following this the locomotive was moved to the RPSI's site at Whitehead, where it is currently based and used for shunting duties.
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.
As of July 2016, the three stored GM locomotives owned by RPSI (B141, 134 & 175) have been brought out of the sidings in Inchicore, and moved to RPSI's shed at Connolly Station for storage. The move happened on the 19th July, hauled in two workings by 071. 141 and 175 were moved initially,with 134 moving later that day, due to the three loco limitation on Irish Rail's network. Assessment of their condition and restoration to mainline running of 141 and 134 initially is planned. 175 was earmarked as a source of spares for B141, B142 and 134, but it may also be refurbished.
February 2nd 2017 saw 134 moved back to Inchicore for bodywork repairs. It is planned that all the RPSI's GM locomotives get similar treatment.
Irish Traction Group
The Irish Traction Group (ITG) purchased locomotive 146 in May 2010.[1]. 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 & County Down Railway [2]. 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.[3] 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. Although sold as a source of spare parts for 124, 146, and 190, the ITG has admitted that 152 could be restored as a working locomotive in its own right. 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 displayed in the new ITG museum at Moyasta.
Irish Rail
The rest of the class, No's 144, 147, 162 and 171 were latterly used as pilots at Inchicore. These are now stopped and out of service, and stored at Inchicore.