CIE 141 Class
Encyclopedia
The Córas Iompair Éireann
141 class locomotive
s 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.
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 hp, 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 (76.4 mph). Many of these locomotives were later rebuilt with a GM 8-645E engine of 1100 hp (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.
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" link.
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, until they were superseded by railcars on these duties.
The remaining locomotives, nos. 141, 142, 144, 146, 147, 152, 162, 171, 175 and 177, were finally withdrawn in February, 2010.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 has recently been reinstated but is confined to pilot duties in the Dublin area.
. No.142 has also been preserved by the RPSI. The latter is based in Whitehead
, with No.141 currently in Dublin. Both locomotives have been repainted in their original CIÉ Black livery and regained their original numbers, B141 and B142. It was reported in the January 2011 RPSI newsletter that No.175 has also been selected for preservation by the RPSI.
The Irish Traction Group
(ITG) have preserved locomotive No.146 in full working order http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/loco_146.htm. This locomotive is based at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway
http://www.downrail.co.uk/news.htm. The ITG have also preserved locomotive No.152 http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/loco_152.htm. This locomotive is located at Moyasta Junction on the West Clare Railway.
Córas Iompair Éireann
Córas Iompair Éireann , or CIÉ, is a statutory corporation of the Irish state, answerable to the Irish Government and responsible for most public transport in the Republic of Ireland and, jointly with its Northern Ireland counterpart, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, between the...
141 class locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
s 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
CIE 121 Class
The Córas Iompair Éireann 121 class is a railway locomotive which was manufactured by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. These locomotives were in regular service on the Irish railway network until 2002, with the last two remaining in service until 2008....
locomotives, mechanically very similar but with cabs at each end.
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
EMD 567
The EMD 567 is a line of diesel engines built by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division. This engine, which succeeded Winton's 201-A, was used in EMD's locomotives from 1938 until its replacement in 1966 by the EMD 645. It has a bore of , a stroke of and a displacement of 567 in³ per cylinder...
engine of 960 hp, all were later fitted with 645
EMD 645
The EMD 645 family of diesel engines was designed and manufactured by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. Intended primarily for locomotive, marine and stationary engine use, one 16-cylinder version powered the 33-19 "Titan" prototype haul truck designed by GM's Terex...
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 (76.4 mph). Many of these locomotives were later rebuilt with a GM 8-645E engine of 1100 hp (as used in the re-engined Class C
CIE 201 Class
The Córas Iompair Éireann 201 Class was a class of 34 diesel electric locomotives manufactured by Metropolitan-Vickers at their Dukinfield Works in Manchester. They were a smaller, lighter and less powerful version of the 001 Class and were originally intended for branch line passenger and freight...
locomotives), though some have since had the original engine refitted. The locomotives were delivered in the new livery of brown/black/white.
Following crew training trials between Inchicore and Monasterevin
Monasterevin
Situated 63 km from Dublin on the R445 road, Monasterevin has been relieved of much through traffic by the opening in 2004 of a new section of the M7 motorway bypassing the town on the N7 Dublin to Limerick route...
(passenger trains), Kildare
Kildare
-External links:*******...
(goods trains), and Hazelhatch
Hazelhatch
Hazelhatch is an area on the border between County Kildare and County Dublin in Ireland. It is located approximately halfway between Celbridge and Newcastle. It is located on the R405 regional road. The Grand Canal passes through the area, and Hazelhatch is one of the places of recreational...
(light engines), the class appeared on main line trials from Amiens Street (Connolly) to Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
, and Westland Row
Dublin Pearse railway station
Dublin Pearse, also known as Pearse Station , located on Westland Row in the Southside in Dublin, Ireland, is Ireland's busiest railway station and an important commuter terminus for the Dublin area.-Services:...
(Pearse) to Arklow
Arklow
Arklow , also known as Inbhear Dé from the Avonmore river's older name Abhainn Dé, is a historic town located in County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland. Founded by the Vikings in the ninth century, Arklow was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the 1798 rebellion...
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
Double-heading
In railroad terminology, double-heading or double heading indicates the use of two locomotives at the front of a train, each operated individually by its own crew. The practice of triple-heading involves the use of three locomotives....
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" link.
In later years, regular passenger duties included trains on the Rosslare to Waterford/Limerick lines
Limerick-Rosslare railway line
The Limerick–Waterford railway line is the only true non-radial route still open in Ireland that is not a branch line. The route was commenced in 1848 by the Waterford and Limerick Railway and finished in 1854 – one of the oldest routes in Ireland, and the first approved by the British...
, 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 has recently been reinstated but is confined to pilot duties in the Dublin area.
- 645 Engine Fitted: 142 145 148 149 151 163 164 166 170 173
- 567 Engine Refitted: 146 152 167 175
Preservation
No. 141, with sponsorship from Murphy Models, has been preserved by the Railway Preservation Society of IrelandRailway Preservation Society of Ireland
The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland is an Irish railway preservation group operating in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1964. The Society has its headquarters at Whitehead, County Antrim, Northern Ireland and a base at Mullingar, County Westmeath...
. No.142 has also been preserved by the RPSI. The latter is based in Whitehead
Whitehead
-With common given names on further disambiguation pages:*Alan Whitehead *George Whitehead *Henry Whitehead *James Whitehead *John Whitehead...
, with No.141 currently in Dublin. Both locomotives have been repainted in their original CIÉ Black livery and regained their original numbers, B141 and B142. It was reported in the January 2011 RPSI newsletter that No.175 has also been selected for preservation by the RPSI.
The Irish Traction Group
Irish Traction Group
The Irish Traction Group is a railway preservation society dedicated to preserving diesel locomotives from Irish Railways. It was formed in 1989, with the intention of attempting to preserve at least one example of every type of diesel locomotive to have operated on Irish Rail.They currently own 13...
(ITG) have preserved locomotive No.146 in full working order http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/loco_146.htm. This locomotive is based at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway
Downpatrick & County Down Railway
The Downpatrick & County Down Railway is a heritage railway in County Down, Northern Ireland. The project is based at Downpatrick, on part of the former route of the Belfast & County Down Railway....
http://www.downrail.co.uk/news.htm. The ITG have also preserved locomotive No.152 http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/loco_152.htm. This locomotive is located at Moyasta Junction on the West Clare Railway.
Model
- Murphy Models http://www.murphymodels.com have produced via Bachmann a comprehensive range of '00' gauge 141 Class models. All liveries are covered (Black & Tan, CIE Golden Brown, Irish Rail and Iarnród Éireann) and with correct detailing for each era (e.g. LED pilot lights on the later versions). These models were first released in early 2008.http://www.murphymodels.com/files/Class_181_Review_MR114_018-019.pdf.
- A Rapid Prototyped 141 N Scale body is available from Valve Design.http://www.shapeways.com/shops/valvedesign.