CIE 101 Class

Córas Iompair Éireann B class
(later 101 class)

B class locomotive No. 105
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company
Serial number DEL20–DEL31
Build date 1956–1957
Total produced 12
Specifications
AAR wheel arr. A1A-A1A
UIC class (A1A)(A1A)
Gauge 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Bogies Modified Pennsylvania Railroad swing bolster bogies
Wheel diameter 952 mm (37.5 in)
Length 14.50 m (47 ft 7 in)
Height 3.93 m (12 ft 11 in)
Loco weight 76.6 tonnes (75.4 long tons; 84.4 short tons)
Fuel capacity 3,406 litres (749 imp gal; 900 US gal)
Prime mover Sulzer 6LDA28
Engine type Straight 6
Aspiration Turbocharged
Generator DC
Traction motors Metropolitan Vickers MV137CW, 4 off
Cylinders 6
Transmission diesel electric
Loco brake Westinghouse straight air
Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures
Maximum speed 120 km/h (75 mph)
Power output 960 hp (720 kW) at 710 rpm
Tractive effort 186 kN (42,000 lbf) (starting)
76 kN (17,000 lbf) at 26 km/h (16 mph) (continuous)
This allowed a 300-tonne (300-long-ton; 330-short-ton) train to be hauled without banking assistance on the 1:60 (1.67%) gradient outside Cork
Career
Operators Córas Iompair Éireann
Class B, later 101
Numbers B101–B112
Withdrawn 1969–1978
Disposition One preserved, eleven scrapped

The Córas Iompair Éireann 101 Class locomotives, numbered B101-B112, were built in 1956 by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company. They were fitted with Sulzer 6LDA28 engines of 960 hp (720 kW), with four Metropolitan-Vickers MV157 traction motors. They were of A1A-A1A wheel arrangement, weighed 75 tonnes and had a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

With their design, size and axle loading, they were intended for mixed traffic duties, hauling both freight and passenger trains. They found regular use primarily on the Waterford-Mallow-Tralee line and also on the Tralee-Newcastle West-Limerick line. Given that they were the first main group of diesel locos used in Ireland, they proved very successful and quickly gained a reputation for comfort and reliability by contrast to the poor cab conditions and suspension rocking of the Class 113 and the interminable breakdowns of the 001/201. However, during the 1960s many of the secondary lines that they were used on were closed and following the arrival of the 181 Class, the 101s were relegated to goods, permanent way and pilot duties.

The first withdrawal took place in 1969 (B111), and the last in February 1978 (B106). A proposal to re-engine them in the light of similar refurbishments of the Class 001 and Class 201 came to nothing, and the decision was taken to order new locomotives in the form of the 071 Class instead.

After withdrawal, the entire class was lined up together with the two 113 Class locomotives to form a sound barrier around Inchicore Works. Official withdrawal of the class came in April 1984, and the majority were scrapped between December 1986 and March 1987. However, No. 103 survived and has been preserved by the Irish Traction Group at Carrick-on-Suir. .[1]

Model

A resin OO gauge model kit is available from Studio Scale Models, with etched brass/whitemetal detailing and a selection of decals to cover various liveries.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "B103". Irish Traction Group Website. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
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