DSER 20

Dublin and South Eastern Railway (DSER) 20, 34 and 35 were a class of three 4-4-2T locomotives designed by Cronin and intended for express passenger work.[2] In particular No. 20 King George was the 41st and final locomotive to be constructed at Grand Canal Street[3] though the boiler was made by Kitson.[2] The remaining locomotives by Beyer Peacock in 1924.[2]

DSER 20, 34 & 35
457 (former DSER 35) at Bray
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Cronin Builder Grand Canal Street Beyer Peacock Build date 1911 & 1924 Total produced 3 Rebuilder GSR & CIÉ Rebuild date 1932–1951
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-2T Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 3 in (990 mm) Driver dia. 6 ft 1 in (1,850 mm) Trailing dia. 3 ft 39 in (1,900 mm) Axle load 15.75 long tons (16.00 t) Loco weight 61.5 long tons (62.5 t) Water cap 1,700 imp gal (7,700 l; 2,000 US gal) Boiler pressure 160 lbf/in^2 (1.10 MPa) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 18 in × 26 in (457 mm × 660 mm)[1]
Performance figures Tractive effort 15,920 lbf (70.82 kN)
Career Operators Dublin and South Eastern Railway Great Southern Railways CIÉ Railways Division Class C2 (Inchicore) Power class K/HT Number in class 3 Numbers 20, 34, 35 455-457 Locale Ireland Withdrawn 1959 Disposition All scrapped
No. 20 as built[2]

History

It is suggested the design might have arisen as an attempt to emulate the success of the LB&SCR I3 class, however on introduction engine No. 20 seemed to have issues with high axle loading restricting the route and it also appeared to have difficulties with heavier trains, steep gradients and hot axleboxes. The relatively large driver wheel diameter of 6 feet 1 inch (1,850 mm) may not have helped especially as it ended up being used on suburban services, only averaging a mere 90 miles (140 km) a day. It may have been hoped the Belpaire boilers, increased weight and other changes on those ordered from Beyer-Peacock in 1924 may have helped.[2]

In the on merger to the Great Southern Railways (GSR) in 1925 they were allocated the numbers 455 though 458 and Inchicore class C2. Rebuilds in the 1930s seem to have resolved most of the issues and a 1948 CIÉ report commented: "DSER heavy passenger engines. (When) (sic.) well maintained not all that bad. Essential to local service".[2]

References

1. Boocock, Colin (1 October 2009). "Locomotive Compendium Ireland" (1st ed.). Ian Allan. pp. 37, 41. ISBN 9780711033603.
2. Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. pp. 146–150. ISBN 9781906578268.
3. Baker, Michael H. C. (1972). Irish Railways since 1916. Ian Allen. p. 47. ISBN 0711002827.