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 classification	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)
Locomotive weight	61.5 t (136,000 lb)
Fuel capacity	300 imp gal (1,400 l; 360 US gal)
Prime mover	Crossley ESTV8; Re-engined '69-'80 with EMD 8-cylinder 645E by CIÉ at Inchicore Works, Dublin
Traction motors	Metropolitan Vickers MV137CW, 4 off
Transmission	DC generator; DC traction motors
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)
Train brakes	Vacuum and Air [1]
Career
Operator(s)	Córas Iompair Éireann Iarnród Éireann
Class	C; later 201
Number(s)	201–234
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.

Problems and Solutions

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:

• During the late 1950s and early 1960s, following the publication of the Andrews Report, CIÉ followed a path of large-scale closures of branch lines, leaving them without a purpose.
• The locomotives were of insufficient power for their duties and their Crossley engines suffered reliability 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. 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:

Accidents and incidents

• On 21 October 1974, locomotive B202 was hauling an empty passenger train when it ran away driverless from Connolly station and collided with a passenger train at Gormanston, County Meath, A third passenger train, hauled by locomotive B219 was struck by the wrecked trains. Two people were killed and 29 were injured.^[3]

In Boyle with an extra train.

Preservation

• Two 201 Class locomotives, numbers 226 and 231, have been preserved by the Irish Traction Group ^[4] 226 was the first mainline diesel to be preserved in Ireland. C231 is currently based at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway, painted in CIÉ Green livery, whilst 226 is undergoing restoration at Carrick-on-Suir.

• A third example, NIR 106/CIÉ 227 was preserved privately and displayed at Cahirciveen, County Kerry and carries the number C202, which was supposedly the number of the locomotive hauling the last train from Cahirciveen in 1960 but it was in fact 227 which worked the train. Unfortunately, it has suffered almost continuous vandalism since being displayed in 1997. In around 2004, the now engineless locomotive was moved from Caherciveen to a site used by a heritage railway, the Waterford and Suir Valley Railway, at Bilberry, Waterford with the intention of being restored in full through crowdfunding. However, during her time in Bilberry the locomotive was further vandalised and stripped of valuable copper wiring by metal thieves. The locomotive also suffered further deterioration due to being stored in the open with rainwater entering through broken windows and missing panels. In 2010, the locomotive was purchased by a local business man, haulier and rail enthusiast, Don Butler of Kilmacow, and traveled the 10km journey to his premises in Kilmacow by road on a low loader. It is believed that the intention is still that 227 will be restored using crowd funding, at least cosmetically. However, as of October 2014, the locomotive remained languishing in a derelict state at the Kilmacow site along with several other Bord na Mona locomotives and a Wickham inspection car.^[5][6][7]

Models

• The C Class is available as a brass and white metal 00 gauge kit from No Nonsense Kits , now acquired by Phoenix Paints.

• A resin version is available from Silver Fox Models..

• A Rapid Prototyped N Scale body is available from Valve Design..

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to CIÉ 201 Class.

• Eiretrains - Irish Locomotives
• Irish Traction Group webpage for preserved 201 Class No.226
• Irish Traction Group webpage for preserved 201 Class No.231

References

• Strickland, David C. (September 1983). Locomotive Directory. Camberley, Surrey: Diesel and Electric Group. p. 165. ISBN 0-906375-10-X.