CIE 141 Class

Córas Iompair Éireann 141 class
Iarnród Éireann 175 at Colbert Station, Limerick, 2006
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Electro Motive Division, La Grange, Illinois, USA Order number 700438–700474 Serial number 27467–57503 Model JL8 Build date October to November 1962 Total produced 37
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo′Bo′ Wheel diameter 40 in (1,016 mm) Length 13.42 m (44 ft 0 in) Loco weight 67 tonnes (66 long tons; 74 short tons) Prime mover EMD 567CR Engine type 8-cylinder Two-stroke diesel Aspiration Roots-type supercharger Traction motors Axle-hung, nose-suspended, 4 off Cylinders 8 Transmission D25 DC generator DC traction motors Train brakes Air & Vacuum
Performance figures Maximum speed 123 km/h (76 mph) Power output 960 hp (720 kW) Tractive effort 197 kN (44,000 lbf) starting
Career Operators Córas Iompair Éireann Iarnród Éireann Class 141 class Numbers B141–B177 (later 141–177) Withdrawn 2010–2011 Disposition 5 preserved, remainder stored or scrapped.

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.

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 CIE 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 Tuesday 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 Monday 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. B141, B142, 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.

Accidents and incidents

• On Tuesday 13 August 1974, locomotive B176 was hauling a passenger train when it was involved in a head-on collision with locomotive B192, which was also hauling a passenger train, at Rosslare Strand. Fifteen people were injured.^[1]
• Class members 164 and 172 appear in the 1992 Irish fantasy family adventure 'Into the West'.

Preservation

B142, Whitehead

Irish Traction Group

146, Downpatrick

The Irish Traction Group (ITG) purchased locomotive 146 in May 2010.. 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 . 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. 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.

Model

• Murphy Models 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..
• A Rapid Prototyped 141 N Scale body is available from Valve Design..
• The 141 class along with many other locomotives and rolling stock has been made into a drivable locomotive for the game openbve by Celtic trainsim .

Sligo Quay working in 1983.

References

other source

• Strickland, David C. (September 1983). Locomotive Directory: Every Single One There Has Ever Been. Camberley, Surrey: Diesel and Electric Group. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-9063-7510-5. OCLC 16601890.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD JL8 locomotives.

• Eiretrains - Irish Locomotives
• Preserved loco 141
• Preserved loco 142
• Preserved loco 146
• Preserved loco 152
• Preserved loco 175