DWWR 24

Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway (DW&WR) 24 was the lead engine of a class of five 2-4-0 tender locomotives built in two batches in 1864 and 1873.

DW&WR 24
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Meikle/John Wakefield Builder Sharp Stewart Serial number 1478–80 2304/5 Build date 1864, 1873 Total produced 5
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-4-0  • UIC 1B n2 Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 7+1⁄2 in (1,105 mm) Driver dia. 5 ft 4+1⁄4 in (1,632 mm) Length 29 ft (8,800 mm) (est.) Axle load 11.5 long tons (11.7 t) Loco weight 32.2 long tons (32.7 t) Water cap. 2,100 imp gal (9,500 L; 2,500 US gal) Boiler pressure 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 16 in × 22 in (406 mm × 559 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 11,140 lbf (49.55 kN)
Career Operators DW&WR DSER GSR Class G7 (Inchicore) Power class Q Number in class 4 Numbers 24,25,26,32,33 422 (GSR) Locale Ireland Withdrawn 1928
As built[1][Note 1]

History

The engines are attributed to the locomotive superintendent William Meikle and the first three, Nos. 24 (Glenamore), 25 (Gleanart) and No. 26 were supplied in 1864. A further two, No. 32 (Glenmalure) and No. 33 (Glendalough) with detail differences followed in 1873.^{[Note 2][1]}

At this time the DW&WR was extending south, from Enniscorthy in 1963 to Wexford by 1874. These engines took over the main line express passenger trains to Wicklow and Wexford from earlier 2-4-0 types.^[2] They continued to work main line expresses until replaced by more powerful 4-4-0s in 1895.^[2]

No. 26 (Blackrock) was converted into a 2-4-0T locomotive in 1900 and served on the Shillelagh branch line thereafter.^[1]

No. 25 was Irish Civil War loss. All were life expired by 1925 and withdrawn immediately on the amalgamation to Great Southern Railways apart from No. 24 which lasted until 1928 becoming GSR No. 422 and the sole member of class 422 / G7.^[1]