GSR Class 700

The Great Southern Railways (GSR) Class 700 consisted of five 0-6-0 locomotives built by Inchicore railway works in 1929 and were the last locomotives designed by J. R. Bazin.[1]^:263—264

GSR 700 Class
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer J. R. Bazin Builder Inchicore Build date 1929 Total produced 5
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0 Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Driver dia. 5 ft 1 ^3⁄4 in (1,568 mm) Length 25 ft 3 ^3⁄4 in (7,715 mm) Loco weight 41 long tons (42 t) Water cap 3,345 imp gal (15,210 l; 4,017 US gal) Boiler pressure 160 lbf/in^2 (1.10 MPa) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 18 in × 24 in (457 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 17,130 lbf (76.20 kN)
Career Operators Great Southern Railways (GSR) CIÉ Class J15a (Inchicore) Power class J Number in class 5 Numbers 700-704 Locale Ireland Withdrawn 1955—1963
[1]^:263—264

The design was more traditional with a saturated rather than superheated boiler and with slide valves as opposed to piston valves. The tenders used initially were those reallocated from withdrawn 360 class 4-6-0. A more modern feature was underslung springs.[1]^:263—264

Operationally the need for the class has subsequently been questioned and speculation has arisen that it was to use up surplus type 60 boilers.[1]^:263—264

This class seems to have compared poorly with the older 101 class when especially when the latter were fitted with superheated boilers, possibly due to an inadequate heating surface leading to high coal and water consumption.[1]^:263—264

References

1. Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. ISBN 9781906578268.