MGWR Class K

MGWR Class K
MGWR Class K 2-4-0 on an express at Clifden in 1914.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerMartin Atock
BuilderBroadstone Works
Build date1893-1898
Total produced20
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-4-0[1]
Gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Leading dia.4 feet 0 inches (1.22 m)
Coupled dia.5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m)
Length26 feet 5.25 inches (8.0582 m)
Axle load15 tons
Adhesive weight26 tons
Loco weight38 tons
Career
OperatorsMGWR
GSR
CIÉ
NumbersMGWR 13-24,27-34
GSR/CIÉ 650-668
Official nameMGWR Class K
GSR Class 650 G2
Withdrawn1923 (Civil War loss)
1954-1963 (remainder)

The MGWR Class K was a Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) 2-4-0 designed by Martin Atock for passenger work and introduced from 1893. They replaced earlier MGWR Class D locomotives that carried the same names and numbers. The class was also known as the Great Southern Railways (GSR) 650 G2 class.[2][3][4]

Locomotives

MGWR No. Name Introduced GSR No. Withdrawn
13 Rapid 1893 659 1961
14 Racer 1893 650 1959
15 Rover 1895 660 1959
16 Rob Roy 1895 651 1959
17 Reindeer 1894 661 1959
18 Ranger 1893 652 1954
19 Spencer 1894 653 1963
20 Speedy 1896 War loss 1923
21 Swift 1896 662 1955
22 Samson 1896 663 1959
23 Sylph 1896 664 1961
24 Sprite 1896 665 1959
27 Clifton 1896 666 1957
28 Clara 1896 654 1963
29 Consilla 1896 655 1961
30 Active 1897 656 1957
31 Alert 1897 667 1957
32 Ariel 1897 668 1959
33 Arrow 1898 657 1961
34 Aurora 1898 658 1954

[2]

Design and historical development

The design was a progression of the MGWR Class D standard passenger locomotive and resulted in a design more powerful than the MGWR Class D-bogie 4-4-0. They were rebuilt with superheated boilers from 1918 increasing their power still further and becoming one of the few if not only superheated 2-4-0 classes in the world.[3][4]

Services

They were initially allocated to top expresses such at the limited mail with some of the heaviest requiring double heading. After the turn of the century they were displaced by 4-4-0 types to secondary duties throughout the MGWR network but became mainly based around the Sligo line in the GSR/CIÉ era. On the Achill line they would be brought in for heavier trains particular after 6 coupled locomotives were banned after 1925 on that branch. They remained active and useful into the 1950s with the last withdrawal in 1963. The locomotive class was also noted for working on the Ballaghaderreen branch line in its final years.[1][2][3][4]

Accidents and Incidents

Several of the class were damaged in civil war incidents in 1922/23. In particular No. 20 Speedy was destroyed at Killala on 3 February 1923.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "THE BALLAGHADERREEN BRANCH". Irish Failfan News. 7 (3): 14–16. July 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Shepherd, Ernie (1994). The Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland - An illustrated History. Midland Publishing Limited. pp. 85–788, 122, 124, 130–131. ISBN 1-85780-008-7.
  3. ^ a b c Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. pp. 208–210. ISBN 9781906578268.
  4. ^ a b c Beaumont, Jonathan (2002). Rails to Achill. pp. 98–99, 101. ISBN 978-0853615880.