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All of the 181 class have been withdrawn, the first being 191 in 1991 after a runaway incident at Clonsilla; it was later scrapped in 1998.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 The last of the class to be withdrawn was 190 in November 2009, which spent its last days in service as the Inchicore works pilot engine before being immediately acquired for preservation by the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 Locomotives

Preserved 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