The
Córas Iompair Éireann 181 Class
locomotive
A locomotive is a rail transport, rail vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. Traditionally, locomotives pulled trains from the front. However, Push–pull train, push–pull operation has become common, and in the pursuit for ...
s were built in 1966 by
General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) and numbered B181 to B192.
Overview

These locomotives were virtually identical to the earlier
141 Class locomotives, but fitted with the more powerful
645 engine and thermostatically controlled engine cooling fan and inlet shutters. Delivery took place in 1966, with introduction into service happening a short time later.
They were fitted with an EMD 8-645E engine of 1100 hp, weighed , and had a maximum design speed of which was restricted to in service. Number 186 was later fitted with an
EMD 8-567CR engine of , as used in the 141 Class locomotives.
Withdrawal and preservation
All of the 181 class have been withdrawn, the first being 191 in 1991 after a runaway incident at Clonsilla; it was later scrapped in 1998. In their final days they were only used on permanent way trains or as pilots. The last of the class to be withdrawn was 190 in November 2009, which spent its last days in service as the
Inchicore works pilot engine before being immediately acquired for preservation by the
Irish Traction Group. The locomotive was moved to Moyasta Junction on
West Clare Railway for storage, where it would remain for 16 years. On 31 May 2025, 190 was moved by road to
Downpatrick railway station on the
Downpatrick and County Down Railway
The Downpatrick and County Down Railway (DCDR) is a Track gauge in Ireland, 5 foot, 3 inch (1,600 mm) Track gauge, gauge heritage railway in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is operated by volunteers and runs passenger trains using Steam loco ...
, arriving there the following day.
Accidents and incidents
*On Tuesday 13 August 1974, locomotive B192 was hauling a passenger train when it was involved in a head-on collision with
locomotive B176, which was also hauling a passenger train, at . Fifteen people were injured.
Model
Murphy Models of
Dublin
Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...
commissioned
Bachmann to produce an
OO gauge
OO gauge or OO scale (also, 00 gauge and 00 scale) is the most popular standard gauge model railway standard in the United Kingdom, outside of which it is virtually unknown. OO gauge is one of several 4 mm-scale standards (4 mm to , or 1: ...
model of these locomotives.
This model first was released in December 2007. It has been supplied in all four main liveries worn by the class.
References
*
External links
Eiretrains - Irish LocomotivesPreserved 181 class loco No.190
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cie 181 Class
Iarnród Éireann locomotives
Electro-Motive Division locomotives
Bo-Bo locomotives
5 ft 3 in gauge locomotives
Railway locomotives introduced in 1966
Diesel–electric locomotives of Ireland