GSR Class 342
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Class 342 as built except where noted [1]:113–115,269–270 |
The Great Southern Railways (GSR) Class 342 consisted of five 4-4-0 locomotives built by Inchicore railway works in 1936. They were a late follow on from the GSR Class 333 originally built by the Great Southern and Western Railway (GS&WR) in 1907/1908.[1]:113–115,269–270
Design and modifications
The locomotives were essentially modelled on the 1927 rebuild of Locomotive 338 of Class 333.[1]:113–115,269–270 The 5 feet 8 1⁄2 inches (1,740 mm) driving wheels and less than 16 long ton maximum axle load were suitable for go anywhere and secondary passenger and mixed duties as opposed to the 6 feet 7 inches (2,010 mm) driving wheels of classes 301 through 321 which were more suited to express passenger work.
Service
In practice all members of these classed were treated interchangeably for operational purposes. A 16 long tons (16 t) maximum axle load allowed the class to be used almost anywhere. The were assessed in 1948 as quite powerful and fast and especially useful for passenger specials.[1]:113–115,269–270
Loan to GNRI
In 1946 Locomotive 346 which was an oil burner at the time was lent to the Great Northern Railway (GNRI) to operate the Dublin-Bundoran express as far as Dundalk.[1]:270