CIE 201 Class

Córas Iompair Éireann C class
(later 201 Class)
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder Metropolitan-Vickers, Dukinfield Works, Manchester
Build date 1956–1957
Total produced 34
Specifications
UIC class Bo′Bo′
Gauge 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Length 12.8 m (42 ft 0 in) over buffers
Width 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height 4.3 m (14 ft 1 in)
Loco weight 61.5 t (60.5 long tons; 67.8 short tons)
Fuel capacity 300 imp gal (1,400 l; 360 US gal)
Prime mover Crossley ESTVee8;
Re-engined '69-'80 with EMD 645E by CIÉ at Inchicore Works, Dublin
Engine type Crossley V8
EMD 8-cylinder
Generator DC
Traction motors DC Metropolitan Vickers MV137CW, 4 o
Cylinders 8
Transmission Diesel electric
Train brakes vacuum brake and air[1]
Performance figures
Maximum speed 80 mph (130 km/h)
Power output Crossley: 410 kW (550 hp)
EMD: - 820 kW (1,100 hp)
Tractive effort 153 kN (34,000 lbf) (max)
Career
Operators Córas Iompair Éireann
Iarnród Éireann
Class C; later 201
Numbers 201–234
Withdrawn 1973–1986
Disposition Three preserved, remainder scrapped

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 (mixed traffic) duties. They were introduced in 1956 and, although their duties changed over the years, were in regular service on the Irish railway network until the mid-1980s.

Service history

C205 of this class at Kilkenny Station in 1963.
Locomotive 202 propels a push–pull train at Leixlip Louisa Bridge, April 1982.

Unfortunately, these locomotives suffered from two distinct problems:

Replacement engines: Because of the problems with the Crossley engines attempts were made to fit the locomotives with more suitable equipment. Between 1965 and 1980, Maybach MD650 engines of 980 horsepower (730 kW) were fitted in Nos. 233 and 234. From 1969, however, a permanent solution was found by fitting the entire class with General Motors engines, a similar process that was also undergone by the 001 Class).

New Duties: From 1969 the class were given new duties, being partnered with former 2600 class diesel multiple units converted to four-car push-pull carriage rakes to operate the suburban services around Dublin. In 1984 the Dublin suburban lines over which they worked were electrified and new electric multiple units operated the renamed Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) system.

The first member of the class to be withdrawn was No. B201, being bomb damaged in 1973.[2] The remaining members of the class, except those sold to NIR, were withdrawn over the two years following the opening of the DART system having completed 30 years service for their operators.

Numbering

When built, these locomotives were numbered C201-C234, and as locomotives were re-engined, they were renumbered B201-B234 to reflect their increased power. However, the prefix letter was later dropped.

Livery

Over the years the class has carried six different liveries. When introduced they were painted an all-over silver livery which unfortunately dirtied quickly and was not a good advert for dieselisation. This was followed by all-over CIE green livery with a thin lighter green band on the lower panels, giving a uniform appearance to the train sets. In the next change black became the base colour with just a white relief around the top panel, which opened to a squared-off 'V' between the cab windows. Some locomotives received large yellow panel to the cab fronts to aid visibility. With the adaptation by CIE of its "Black and Tan" scheme in the mid-1960s, the locomotives received this livery with a white line at roof level to match the coaches. The last CIE livery was of Golden Brown with a very broad black band covering the upper panels at the level of, and as wide as, the cab windows. Those locomotives sold to NIR carried their blue livery.

NIR use

Northern Ireland Railways No. 105 near Whitehead

After withdrawal from CIÉ, six locomotives were sold to Northern Ireland Railways, which designated them 104 Class. They entered traffic for NIR in 1986–1987, except 105. Originally, CIÉ 224 was intended to become 105, but it was subsequently rejected by NIR and replaced by 218, which only entered traffic in 1991. 224 was left stored with NIR until it was scrapped in January 1996.

Of those that entered service, some had very short lives working for their new owners. They were stored as soon as any problems arose (e.g. a seized engine or traction motor), and the whole class was formally withdrawn in 1993 (107/109) or 1995 (the others). The locomotives involved, their new numbers and their withdrawal are set out below:

NIR number Ex-CIÉ number Stored Scrapped
104 216 September 1994 August 1997
105 218 November 1993 August 1997
106 227 March 1995 Preserved (see below)
107 228 June 1987 January 1996
108 230 December 1994 August 1997
109 234 August 1987 March 1993

Accidents and incidents

In Boyle with an extra train.

Preservation

C231 At DCDR

Models

References

  1. ↑ The locomotives were originally vacuum braked only, but were later retrofitted with air brakes. Note the lack of air brake pipes between the buffers on http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/image/5620-cie-c227-bray-14-09-1957/ compared to http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LUPcZ0dY8VU/maxresdefault.jpg
  2. ↑ "B201 in Inchicore, 1973". Retrieved 2009-12-08.
  3. ↑ "REPORT OF INQUIRY INTO THE COLLISION THAT OCCURRED AT GORMANSTON RAILWAY STATION ON 21ST OCTOBER, 1974." (PDF). Dublin: Department of Transport and Power via Rail Accident Investigation Unit. January 1975. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "ITG Owned Locomotives". Irish Traction Group. 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  5. ↑ I personally witnessed locomotive in the corner of the yard in Kilmacaow
  6. ↑ https://www.google.ie/maps/place/52%C2%B018'52.8%22N+7%C2%B008'54.1%22W/@52.3146815,-7.1485529,234m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0
  7. ↑ https://www.google.ie/maps/@52.3148225,-7.1462812,3a,90y,259.64h,94.45t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s0UEOarYCM9jL_UIPRz6d0Q!2e0
  8. ↑
  9. ↑
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