Irish Railway Record Society

JOURNAL 171 ROLLING STOCK

Mk III The Dublin based standby set was replaced by a 6-car ICR in early September, leaving the Fridays-Only 16:15 Dublin-Ballina as the sole remaining regular scheduled Mk III working. The fleet was withdrawn from service after the All Ireland Football Final on Sunday 20 September. Three sets were in service over this weekend. The last working was a 13:45 relief from Dublin to Cork next day. See PASSENGER OPERATIONS for details.

The following were scrapped in Inchicore in September and October: Inchicore - 6311, 7107, 7118, 7135, 7405 and 7402, Waterford - 6310, 6316, 6315, 7105, 7112, 7119, 7134, 7148 and 7410.

On Monday 5 October, 083 worked two Mk III transfers from Heuston to North Wall for storage, the first was 7615 + 7104 + 7411 + 7129 + 7113 + 7121 + 7146 + 7102 and the second was 7602 + 7168 + 7407 + 7157 + 7144 + 7143 + 7115. On Wednesday 7 October, 075 hauled 7614 + 7171 + 7404 + 7103 + 7120 + 7140 + 7149 + 7132 from the former Heuston Goods to North Wall.

Mk IIIa (International) The remaining coaches 6201, 6202, 6208 and 6401 were scrapped in Inchicore in September.

Dutch Vans 1162 and 1166, which were in use as brake vans in recent years, were scrapped in Inchicore in September.

Head End Power Surplus Mk III Electric Generator Vans (EGV) are being readied for Enterprise working. This will allow locomotive engines to run at a speed determined by power requirements set by the driver rather than continuously running at synchronous (full) speed required to supply 50Hz for train heating and lighting supply known as Head End Power. HEP has resulted in significant wear and tear on locomotive engines with resultant poor reliability and the need for regular engine re-builds. In addition, fuel consumption has been so high that refuelling has been required during daytime operations. Noise levels from locomotives in HEP mode are also excessive.

In September, EGV 7604 was on test in Inchicore with the Enterprise set stored following the collapse of the Malahide viaduct. Modification work included extra cabling for push-pull working and removal of the gangway rubber at one end. It is understood that five EGVS will be converted. The unstaffed EGV will be marshalled next to the locomotive and there will be no gangway connection between it and the de Dietrich vehicles.

LOCOMOTIVES

201-Class All non push-pull fitted members of the class continue to be stored (Nos. 201-205 & 210-214 – all orange liveried). Push-pull fitted locomotives are also now being ‘temporarily’ stored. The first two locomotives were 215 and 216, but 217 and 218 were also expected to be stored. Temporarily stored locomotives are parked in the open and are started up weekly and serviced. It is anticipated that there will be a fleet of twenty push-pull fitted 201-class locomotives kept in regular service. Overhaul work in Inchicore included the 2-year overhaul of 225. 232 was also in works awaiting an overhauled generator. 231 has been fitted with TPWS. It worked 13:00 Dublin-Belfast and 16:00 return on Sunday 22 November.

071-Class Fitting of Teloc event recorders has been finished on 074 and 078. This leaves 084, 085 and 087 to be fitted and this must be done for continued operation throughout 2010.

With the withdrawal of the Mk III fleet (see below) the only remaining locomotive hauled passenger workings are the Dublin-Cork Mk IVs and Dublin-Belfast De Dietrichs and these have to be worked by push-pull fitted 201-class. The last reported working of an 071-class on a scheduled passenger train was 080 + 7 Mk III + EGV on the 09:30 Cork-Dublin on Friday 21 August.

071s continue to operate freight, permanent way and pilot/rescue workings. Pilot locomotives are based in Limerick Junction, Portlaoise and Athlone. On Wednesday 7 October, 075 worked light engine from Dublin Connolly to Sligo. It departed between the 17:05 Connolly-Sligo and 17:15 Connolly-Longford. Next day it hauled failed ICR 22021 from Sligo to Connolly and on to Laois Depot the following morning.

141/181-Class As none of the class has been fitted with Teloc event recorders, remaining members of the fleet will have to be withdrawn as lead units and effectively taken out of service. The following locomotives have been preserved: 141 (RPSI), 142 (RPSI), 146 (ITG) and 190 (ITG). Locomotive 167 has been approved for disposal.

The sole revenue duty of the class, Kilmastulla-Mungret (Limerick) shale trains ceased in December. Double-headed operation of the class, for so long a regular feature, had effectively been reduced to one pair 175+177, which were operating permanent way trains into January. Other members of the class acted as pilot locomotives in Connolly (usually 144 and 152), the Inchicore-Heuston driver ‘taxi’ and other permanent way trains. The last active 181-class locomotive, 190, was taken out of service and transferred in full working condition to the ITG at Moyasta on 26 November.

Copyright © 2010 by Irish Railway Record Society Limited
Revised: March 04, 2010 .