CIE 141 Class
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| Irish Rail 141 Class | |
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| Also called: | JL8 |
|---|---|
| Builder: | General Motors Electro Motive Division, La Grange, Illinois, USA |
| Years Built: | 1963 |
| Number Built: | 37 |
| Engine: | EMD 8-567 |
| Transmission: | Electric. 4 axle-hung nose-suspended traction motors, Series / Parallel Transition. |
| Wheel Arrangement: | Bo-Bo Diameter: 40 inch |
| Brakes: | Air & Vacuum |
| Weight: | 67 tonnes |
| Maximum Speed: | 77 mph |
| Engine Horsepower: | 875 |
| Operators: | IE |
The Córas Iompair Éireann 141 Class locomotives were delivered in November and December 1962 from General Motors, the first consignment being unloaded at the North Wall, Dublin on November 22nd. They were numbered B141 to B177 and were an updated version of the earlier 121 Class locomotives, mechanically very similar but with cabs at each end.
They are EMD model type JL8 (J = Double Ended Cabs, L = Lightweight Frame, Model 8) and although originally fitted with a GM 8-567CR engine of 875 hp, all were later fitted with 645 type "power packs" (piston & liner assemblies) for parts standardisation. The original power output was kept for reliability reasons. They weighed 67 tons and had a maximum speed of 77 MPH. Many of these locomotives were later rebuilt with a GM 8-645E engine of 1000hp (as used in the re-engined Class C locomotives), though some have since had the original engine refitted. The locomotives were delivered in the new livery of brown / black / white.
Following crew training trials between Inchicore and Monasterevin (passenger trains), Kildare (goods trains), and Hazelhatch (light engines), the class appeared on main line trials from Amiens Street (Connolly) to Drogheda, and Westland Row (Pearse) to Arklow on 4th December 1962, entering traffic on the Dublin to Cork main line four days later. The locomotives were fitted for multiple working and double-headed the 10.40 Dublin to Cork train and the return Cork to Dublin at 15.30. These were the heaviest trains at that time. From 10th December 1962 one locomotive was allocated to the Dublin - Belfast "Enterprise" link.
They are now almost exclusively used on freight services and as pilots, with the odd very rare appearance on passenger services.
The current situation is shown below:
- 645 Engine Fitted: 142 145 148 149 151 156 157 163 164 166 170 172 173
- 567 Engine Refitted: 153 154 167 175
The majority of these locomotives remain in service, though quite a few have now been withdrawn (viz. 143, 145, 148, 150, 154, 156, 157, 158, 159, 161, 164, 172 and 174).
| Diesel Locomotives of Ireland |
|---|
| Republic of Ireland |
| 001, 071, 101, 113, 121, 141, 181, 201 (1st), 201 (2nd) |
| 301, 401, 421, 501, 601, 611, 801 |
| Northern Ireland |
| 1, 101, 104, 111, 208 |
