DWWR 11

Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway (DW&WR) 11 built in 1896 was the predecessor to a total of twelve 2-4-2T locomotives to emerge from Grand Canal Street railway works between 1896 and 1910.[2] Eleven of twelve lasted through to the early 1950s, the only loss being due to the Civil war, and despite attempts to replace them remained they remained vital to the running of the South Dublin services suburban services to Bray throughout their lives.

DW&WR 11
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer William Wakefield R. Cronin Builder Grand Canal Street Build date 1896
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-4-2T Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 9 in (1,140 mm) Driver dia. 5 ft 6 in (1,680 mm) Trailing dia. 3 ft 9 in (1,140 mm) Length 33 ft 6 in (10,210 mm) Axle load 14.5 long tons (14.7 t) Loco weight 52 long tons (53 t) Water cap 1,500 imp gal (6,800 l; 1,800 US gal) Boiler pressure 160 lbf/in^2 (1.10 MPa) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 17 in × 24 in (432 mm × 610 mm)[1]
Performance figures Tractive effort 14,300 lbf (63.61 kN)
Career Operators DW&WR DSER GSR CIÉ Class F1/F2 (Inchicore) Power class O/N/M T Number in class 12 Numbers 3,8,10–12,27–30,40,45,46 428-439 (GSR/CIÉ) Locale Ireland Withdrawn 1
No. 11 As built[2]

Development

These locomotives were a development of the preceding 2-4-0Ts also by William Wakefield with the first two, No. 11 St Kevin in 1896 and No. 3 being new builds. Four more subsequently constructed by rebuilding Wakefields 2-4-0T locomotives. These were all later to form Great Southern Railways (GSR) class 428. The succeeding locomotive engineer Cronin was to build 6 more similar locomotives which were allocated GSR class 434. In practice during their lifetimes all twelve were subject to regular rebuilds with over 5 different types of boiler fitted.[2]

They were an improvement over their 2-4-0T forebears, with coal capacity up from 1.5 tons to 2.5 tons and water capacity nearly doubled to 1,500 imp gal (6,800 l; 1,800 US gal) meaning less frequent fill ups. The tractive effort increase by about 2,000 lbf (8.90 kN) was also useful.[2]

Service

The locomotives served the Dublin south suburban area until the rename of the DW&WR to the Dublin and South Eastern Railway (DSER) and on into the Great Southern Railways grouping in 1925.[2] They were allocated the numbers 428—439 at this time, however No. 10, St. Senanus, was allocated a GSR number 429 but ultimately was declared a Civil War loss.[2] The remaining eleven engines were withdrawn and scrapped in the early 1950s with two surviving until 1957.[2]

References

1. Boocock, Colin (1 October 2009). "Locomotive Compendium Ireland" (1st ed.). Ian Allan. pp. 37, 40. ISBN 9780711033603.
2. Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. pp. 131–134, 136–139. ISBN 9781906578268.