GS&WR Class 21

The Great Southern and Western Railway (GS&WR) Class 21[Note 1] (Or perhaps more simply engine numbers 21 to 40) consisted of half of the initial order of 40 passenger locomotives ordered for the GS&WR and which entered service between approximately 1845 and 1847. A number were later rebuilt to 2-4-0 locomotives for goods work.[1]^:142

GS&WR Class 21
No. 36 Preserved at Cork
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Bury, Curtis and Kennedy Build date 1845 (Approx) Total produced 20
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-2-2 Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Driver dia. 6 ft 0 in (1,830 mm) 5 ft 8 in (1,730 mm) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 15 in × 20 in (381 mm × 508 mm)
Career Operators GS&WR Number in class 20 Numbers 21—40 Locale Ireland Disposition 1 preserved
Individual locomotives had dimensional variations [1]^:142

Engine No. 36, built in 1847, covered 300,000 miles (480,000 km) and is preserved at Cork Kent.[1]^:142 There were suggestions it was able to achieve 60 miles per hour (95 km/h) downhill on Ballybrophy bank but climbing out of Kingsbridge towards Inchicore on a wet day might require the fireman to walk alongside shovelling sand under the wheels to prevent slipping.[2]^:192

Notes and references

Notes

1. There were two GS&WR Class 21's, this was the first one, the second possibly has the better claim.

References

1. Murray, K. A.; McNeil, D.B. (1976). The Great Southern & Western Railway. Irish Record Railway Society. ISBN 0904078051.
2. Baker, Michael H.C. (20 June 1972). Irish railways since 1916 (1st ed.). Ian Allan. ISBN 9780711002821.