GNRI Class U

The GNR(I) class U was a class of 4-4-0 steam locomotives built for the Great Northern Railway (Ireland).

Great Northern Railway (Ireland) class U
204 Antrim on a passenger train leaving Omagh, 7 June 1957
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerGeorge T. Glover[1]
BuilderBeyer, Peacock & Co.[1]
Serial number5904-8, 7244-8
Build date1915 (5), 1947 (5)[1]
Total produced10[1]
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-4-0[1]
 • UIC2′B h2
Gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)[1]
Driver dia.5 ft 9 in (1.753 m)[1]
Fuel typecoal
Boiler pressure175 psi (1.21 MPa)
CylindersTwo, inside[1]
Cylinder size18 in × 24 in (457 mm × 610 mm)[1]
Performance figures
Tractive effort16,763 lbf (74.6 kN)[1]
Career
OperatorsGNR(I)
UTA
CIÉ
ClassU
Numbers196–205
Delivered1915, 1948
First run1915
Last run1965
Withdrawn1959–1965
Scrapped1959, 1961-1965
DispositionAll scrapped

History

Five were built by Beyer, Peacock and Company in 1915. The class was so successful that an additional batch of five was built in 1947, making them the last inside-cylinder 4-4-0 locomotives to be manufactured anywhere in the world.[1]

The earlier locomotives were initially unnamed. However, after the later locomotives were delivered with names of counties along the GNR(I) route, the earlier locomotives received names of Loughs.

Withdrawal

All were still in service in 1958 when the GNR(I) was divided between the Ulster Transport Authority (UTA) and Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), with each receiving five locomotives.

No. 198 Lough Swilly was the first to be withdrawn in 1959 before its CIÉ number (198N) was applied. CIÉ withdrew steam traction in 1963, whereas the UTA withdrew their U class fleet between 1961 and 1965. None of the class were preserved.

Fleet list
BP serial No.DateGNR(I) No.NameNamed1958 owner1958 No.WithdrawnNotes
59041915196Lough Gill1953UTA641961
59051915197Lough Neagh1949CIÉ197N1962
59061915198Lough Swilly1950CIÉ—1959198N allocated, but not applied
59081915199Lough Derg1949CIÉ199N1963
59071915200Lough Melvin1950UTA651961
72441948201MeathNewUTA661965
72451948202LouthNewUTA671965
72461948203ArmaghNewCIÉ203N1962
72471948204AntrimNewCIÉ204N1963
72481948205DownNewUTA681965

Model

An 00 gauge model of No. 205 Down is currently available as an etched-brass kit from Studio Scale Models. It includes transfers, brass etches and cast white metal parts.

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to GNRI Class U.
  1. Kelly (1993) p.21
  • Kelly, Peter (1993). The Railway enthusiast Almanac. Eric Dobby Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-85882-008-8.
  • Rowledge, J. W. P. (1993). Irish Steam Locomotive Register. Stockport, Merseyside: Irish Traction Group. ISBN 0-947773-33-9.
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