Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway (DW&WR) 50 and 51 were two 0-6-0 tender locomotives built in 1891 at Vulcan Works and were named Arklow and New Ross respectively. These were the first the 0-6-0 wheel configuration to be purchased by the DW&WR. The DW&WR's own Grand Canal Street were to construct two more in 1899/1900 and to follow that with a design for five more from 1904. The DW&WR became the Dublin and South Eastern Railway (DSER) from the end of 1906. Under the locomotive engineer R. Cronin both engines were rebuilt with Belpaire boilers in 1912 and 1915 respectively and the boiler pressure increased to 160 lb.[1]

DW&WR 50
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerWilliam Wakefield
BuilderVulcan Works
Build date1891
Rebuild date1912, 1915
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte0-6-0
Gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Driver dia.5 ft 1 in (1,550 mm)
Length33 ft (10 m) (est.)
Loco weight39.5 long tons (40.1 t)
Water cap.2,600 imp gal (12,000 L; 3,100 US gal)
Boiler pressure150 lbf/in2 (1.03 MPa)
Cylinders2
Cylinder size18 in × 26 in (457 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort18,850 lbf (83.85 kN)
Career
Operators
ClassJ7 (Inchicore)
Power classE
Number in class2
Numbers50 (GSR 447), 51
LocaleIreland
Withdrawn1925, 1930
DispositionBoth scrapped
As built[1]

The second engine No. 51 was deliberately destroyed in a head-on collision in the Irish Civil War. On 23 January 1923 New Ross was hauling the 6:30 am goods train from Waterford when a large force attacked the Palace East in County Wexford. The force organised a deliberate head-on collision with that of a cattle special from the opposite direction, which on that day to due to disruptions was being hauled by the DSER's newest express passenger engine Rathcoole. Both engines were ultimately deemed unsalvagable.[2]

The remaining engine passed to Great Southern Railways (GSR) on amalgamation in 1925 being allocated the new number 447 and a new class of 447/J7, being the only member of that class. Thenceforth it was mainly used for goods work on the Shillelagh branch line until withdrawal in 1930.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. pp. 129–132, 143. ISBN 9781906578268.
  2. ^ Baker, Michael H. C. (1972). Irish Railways since 1916. Ian Allan. p. 37. ISBN 0711002827.