GS&WR Class 900

The Great Southern and Western Railway (GS&WR) Class 900 consisted of a pair of 4-8-0T locomotives designed by E.A. Watson and introduced in 1915 and 1924 as a heavy shunter and banker for use on the relatively severe gradient from Kingsbridge to Clondalkin.[1]^:124–125

GSWR Class 900
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer E.A. Watson Builder Inchicore Build date 1915—1924 Total produced 2
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-0T Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 0 in (910 mm) Driver dia. 4 ft 6 ^1⁄2 in (1,384 mm) Length 37 ft 10 ^3⁄4 in (11,551 mm) Axle load:  • 1st coupled 17.2 long tons (17.5 t)  • 2nd coupled 15.2 long tons (15.4 t) Loco weight 80.75 long tons (82.05 t) Water cap 1,500 imp gal (6,800 l; 1,800 US gal) Boiler pressure 175 lbf/in^2 (1.21 MPa) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 19 ^1⁄4 in × 26 in (489 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 26,300 lbf (116.99 kN)
Career Operators GS&WR GSR Class A1 (Inchicore) Power class B Number in class 2 Numbers 900—901 Locale Ireland Withdrawn 1928—1931
[1]^:124–125

Design

The locomotives were unique as being the only locomotives with eight-coupled driving wheels on the Irish 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) gauge,[1]^:124–125 though Watson had chosen to dismiss drawings for at 0-8-2T prepared under his predecessor R. E. L. Maunsell.[2] The cylinders drove the leading coupled driving axle. Some components were common with GS&WR Class 362 and 368.[1]^:124–125

Operation

They were noted as being prone to derailment on sidings which could have sharp curves and be poorly ballasted, though thin flanges on the middle driving wheels combined with a long wheelbase and additional weight on the leading axle may equally have been factors. Engine 900 was later converted to a [4-6-2T] by removing the coupling rods to the rear driving wheels.[1]^:124–125

Engine 901 was introduced nine years after 900 by J.R. Bazin, and was the only engine to be introduced by the Great Southern Railway which existed for less than two months before being joined with the Dublin and South Eastern Railway to form Great Southern Railways (GSR).[1]^:124–125

The engines were not particularly successful and were regarded as surplus to requirements and withdrawn after a short life by 1931 as it was found their work could be adequately performed by standard locomotives.[1]^:124–125[2]

Model

There is a detailed O Gauge model of engine 900 in the Fry model railway collection.[1]^:380

References

1. Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. ISBN 9781906578268.
2. Murray, K. A.; McNeil, D.B. (1976). The Great Southern & Western Railway. Irish Record Railway Society. p. 153. ISBN 0904078051.