The locomotives were acquired in 1905 about the time DW&WR network expansion to Waterford was complete. They joined the DW&WR's other four 4-4-0s which had been in service for 10 years.
History
The build quality of No. 67 was found to be wanting. It required a new front tube plate after only four years and it transpired the DW&WR had required Beyer-Peacock to cut costs. No. 68 was regarded as somewhat the better engine.[2] No. 68 was targeted hijacked and severely damaged in a head-on collision on 23 January 1923 at Palace East during the Civil War. Everyone had been disembarked from the affected trains first and there were no injuries.[3]
On amalgamation to Great Southern Railways in 1925 the remaining engine was renumbered and made the only member of Class 454/D8. A 1948 C.I.E. report described it as "A nondescript engine and the only engine of its class, consequently difficult to place: otherwise it is a fair medium powered passenger engine". It was withdrawn the following year.[2]
