DWWR 67

DW&WR 67 (Rathmore) was a 4-4-0 locomotive built in 1905 at Beyer, Peacock & Company for the Dublin, Wicklow & Wexford Railway. It was accompanied by engine 68 (Rathcoole) from the same maker.^[2] They became the DW&WR's flagship passenger locomotives.

DW&WR 67
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer R. Cronin Builder Beyer, Peacock & Company Serial number 4645/6 Build date 1905 Total produced 2
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0 Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Driver dia. 6 ft 1 in (1,850 mm) Length 33 ft (10,000 mm) (est.) Axle load 15 long tons (15 t) Loco weight 43.3 long tons (44.0 t) Water cap. 2,600 imp gal (12,000 L; 3,100 US gal) Boiler pressure 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 18 in × 26 in (457 mm × 660 mm)[1]
Performance figures Tractive effort 15,700 lbf (69.84 kN)
Career Operators DW&WR DSER GSR CIÉ [1] Class D8 (Inchicore) Power class N/M Number in class 2 Numbers 67 (GSR 454), 68 Locale Ireland Withdrawn 1923, 1949 Disposition Both scrapped
[2]

Background

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 It was withdrawn the following year.^[2]