GNRI Class SG

The Great Northern Railway (Ireland) SG and SG2 classes was one of the last designs of Charles Clifford. They were primarily intended for goods work, but the increased wheel diameter enabled effective passenger duties, managing heavy excursion trains with ease and speed.

GNR Class SG
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerCharles Gifford
BuilderBeyer, Peacock & Company,
Nasmyth, Wilson & Company
Serial numberBP: 5633–5637, 5896–5900
NW: 1428–1432
Build date1913, 1915, 1924–1925
Total producedSG: 5
SG2: 10
Specifications
Configuration:
  Whyte0-6-0
  UICC h2
Gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Driver dia.5 ft 1 in (1.549 m)
SuperheaterSchmidt
CylindersTwo, inside
Cylinder size19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm)
Valve type8-inch (203 mm) piston valves
Career
OperatorsGreat Northern Railway
Ulster Transport Authority
CIÉ
Withdrawn1959–1965
DispositionAll scrapped

Beyer, Peacock & Company built the first two batches in 1913 and 1915 and the 1924-25 batch were built by Nasmyth, Wilson & Company.

Design

They were the first GNR designs to be fitted with Schmidt superheaters and 8-inch (203 mm) piston valves, the SG class having a re-designed motion with rocker arms as well as the first to have 5 ft 1 in (1.549 m) wheels instead of 4 ft 7 in (1.397 m).

Engines were originally built with flush riveted smokeboxes. After the first major overhaul, domed rivets were used. These locomotives originally ran with flared tenders, but at a later date 3,500 imperial gallons (16,000 L; 4,200 US gal) straight sided tenders were also used.

When first brought into service, the five SGs were originally numbered 137, 138, 37, 40 and 41. The last three were renumbered 47, 48, 49 and the whole series was finally renumbered 175, 176, 177, 178, 179.

Differences

The major difference was in the brake rods of which there were two inboard of the wheels. The earlier SO and 562 locomotives had four pull-rods, the outer ones being outside of the wheels.

The 1915 batch (Classified 52 and 502) had direct motion, without rocker arms, driving inclined piston valves, and Robinson superheater. The only external difference was that the shaft and reversing rod were a little higher which resulted in the rear of the left hand side sandbox rod being inclined upwards from the centre sandbox back to the firebox.

The Wakefield mechanical lubricator was mounted further back on the 502. These locomotives were also fitted with Ross pop safety valves as built. The 1913 batch had lever safety valves changed to Ross pop type after first major overhaul after 10 years.

CIÉ ownership

On the break-up of the GNR in 1958, Córas Iompair Éireann took over a number of these locomotives for a period of five years up to the end of steam on CIÉ. They were used particularly on the ex-Dublin and South Eastern Railway services to Wexford and Rosslare. CIÉ retained the GNR numbers, with suffix N except in the case of No.19, also ‘CIE’ was stencilled on the locomotive buffer beams. After withdrawal, some locomotives, including 15N, 179N, and 181N were kept in reserve by CIÉ, some until 1965.

Roster
ClassManufacturerSerial No.DateGNR No.1958 Owner1958 No.WithdrawnNotes
SGBeyer, Peacock & Company5633191337CIÉ177N1963Renumbered 47 in 1913 and 177 later the same year
SGBeyer, Peacock & Company5634191340CIÉ178N1961Renumbered 48 in 1913 and 178 later the same year
SGBeyer, Peacock & Company5635191341CIÉ179N1963Renumbered 49 in 1913 and 179 later the same year
SGBeyer, Peacock & Company56361913137UTA431965Renumbered 175 in 1913
SGBeyer, Peacock & Company56371913138UTA441965Renumbered 176 in 1913
SG2Beyer, Peacock & Company58961915180CIÉ180N1961
SG2Beyer, Peacock & Company58971915181CIÉ181N1963
SG2Beyer, Peacock & Company58981915182UTA411963
SG2Beyer, Peacock & Company58991915183UTA421961
SG2Beyer, Peacock & Company59001915184CIÉ184N1963
SG2Nasmyth, Wilson & Company1428192415CIÉ15N1963
SG2Nasmyth, Wilson & Company1431192418UTA381965
SG2Nasmyth, Wilson & Company1429192516UTA391965
SG2Nasmyth, Wilson & Company1430192517UTA401961
SG2Nasmyth, Wilson & Company1432192519CIÉ1959

Model

The SG Class is currently available as a 00 gauge etched-brass kit from Studio Scale Models. It includes transfers, brass etches, most nameplates and cast white metal parts.

References

    • Rowledge, J. W. P. (1993). Irish Steam Locomotive Register. Stockport, Merseyside: Irish Traction Group. ISBN 0-947773-33-9.

    Further reading

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