SLNCR Lough Class
Encyclopedia
The SLNCR Lough Class was a class of 0-6-4
T steam tank locomotive
s of the Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway
(SLNCR).
the SLNCR's locomotive fleet was in poor condition, but neither the Great Northern
nor Córas Iompair Éireann
could spare any suitable locomotives for hire. The SLNCR considered ordering a Garratt
articulated locomotive
to haul heavier trains, but it could scarcely afford one locomotive of such a large size. Therefore it decided instead to order two more smaller locomotives, on the basis that if one required maintenance the other could still be available for traffic.
In June 1946 the SLNCR ordered just one new locomotive from Beyer, Peacock and Company
at Gorton Foundry, Manchester
, England. The SLNCR's financial situation was worsening, but despite this it ordered the second locomotive about a year later. The Lough class was a more modern and more powerful development of the Sir Henry class, which was also built by Beyer, Peacock but was introduced in 1904.
's Ministry of Commerce to lend it £22,000 to pay for the two locomotives. Protracted negotiations between the SLNCR, Ministry of Commerce and Beyer, Peacock eventually resulted in a hire purchase
agreement in 1951, and the two locomotives were shipped from England to Belfast
in June and July of that year. They were taken first to the GNR's Adelaide locomotive depot
in Belfast, where their side tanks were fitted. They were then delivered to the SLNCR's locomotive depot at , County Leitrim
.
The Lough class became the last new steam locomotives to enter revenue-earning service with an Irish railway company. CIÉ's turf burning locomotive
entered traffic later, but remained experimental and never entered revenue-earning service. The Loughs could haul trains 25% heavier than the Sir Henrys, and they were worked hard from 1951 until the SLNCR's closure.
The SLNCR had never prospered, and in 1957 it closed to all traffic. On Monday 30 September 1957 Lough Melvin hauled the company's last service, a mixed train
from Eniskillen to Sligo.
s and buffer beams
were also painted red.
and Lough Erne
.
(a) : Beyer, Peacock & Co. works numbers 7136/7/8 were originally allocated to three War Department Garratt locomotives. This order was cancelled, 7136 and 7137 were re-allocated to two extra Garratts for the Great Western Railway of Brazil, added to a delayed pre-war order sub-contracted to Henschel & Son
.
(b) : The last tank locomotive built by Beyer Peacock & Co., order No.1427.
(UTA).
The UTA designated the Loughs Class Z and numbered them 26 and 27, but they continued to carry their names and nameplates. For a short while the UTA allocated both locomotives to Adelaide shed for service as shunters on the quays and Grosvenor Road goods yard. It then transferred them to York Road, where they eventually replaced NCC Class Y
.
On 28 May 1960, locomotive 26 Lough Melvin hauled a two-coach Irish Railway Record Society special train from Belfast Belfast York Road
to , and via the former Belfast Central Railway to Belfast Queen's Quay, the tour eventually terminating at . This was recorded as the first passenger working of an ex-SLNCR locomotive in the ownership of the UTA.
The UTA withdrew 26 Lough Melvin from service in 1965 but did not dispose of it. Northern Ireland Railways
(NIR) took over the UTA's railway operations in 1967 and sold Lough Melvin for scrap in 1968. NIR withdrew 27 Lough Erne in 1969.
bought Lough Erne and used it to shunt its yard at Whitehead until its boiler failed in 1972. Lough Erne remains at Whitehead awaiting extensive restoration.
0-6-4
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-6-4 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles....
T steam tank locomotive
Tank locomotive
A tank locomotive or tank engine is a steam locomotive that carries its water in one or more on-board water tanks, instead of pulling it behind it in a tender. It will most likely also have some kind of bunker to hold the fuel. There are several different types of tank locomotive dependent upon...
s of the Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway
Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway
The Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway was an Irish gauge railway in counties Cavan, Fermanagh, Leitrim and Sligo in north-west Ireland.-History:...
(SLNCR).
Development
By the end of Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the SLNCR's locomotive fleet was in poor condition, but neither the Great Northern
Great Northern Railway (Ireland)
The Great Northern Railway was an Irish gauge railway company in Ireland.The Great Northern was formed in 1876 by a merger of the Irish North Western Railway , Northern Railway of Ireland, and Ulster Railway. The Ulster Railway was the GNRI's oldest constituent, having opened between Belfast and...
nor Córas Iompair Éireann
CIE
-Organizations:* Cambridge International Examinations, an international examination board* Cleveland Institute of Electronics, a private technical and engineering educational institution — the International Commission on Illumination...
could spare any suitable locomotives for hire. The SLNCR considered ordering a Garratt
Garratt
A Garratt is a type of steam locomotive that is articulated in three parts. Its boiler is mounted on the centre frame, and two steam engines are mounted on separate frames, one on each end of the boiler. Articulation permits larger locomotives to negotiate curves and lighter rails that might...
articulated locomotive
Articulated locomotive
Articulated locomotive usually means a steam locomotive with one or more engine units which can move independent of the main frame. This is done to allow a longer locomotive to negotiate tighter curves...
to haul heavier trains, but it could scarcely afford one locomotive of such a large size. Therefore it decided instead to order two more smaller locomotives, on the basis that if one required maintenance the other could still be available for traffic.
In June 1946 the SLNCR ordered just one new locomotive from Beyer, Peacock and Company
Beyer, Peacock and Company
Beyer, Peacock and Company was an English railway Locomotive manufacturer with a factory in Gorton, Manchester. Founded by Charles Beyer and Richard Peacock, it traded from 1854 until 1966...
at Gorton Foundry, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England. The SLNCR's financial situation was worsening, but despite this it ordered the second locomotive about a year later. The Lough class was a more modern and more powerful development of the Sir Henry class, which was also built by Beyer, Peacock but was introduced in 1904.
Delivery and SLNCR service
Beyer, Peacock completed both locomotives ready for delivery in spring 1949 but by then the SLNCR could not afford to pay for them. The SLNCR therefore asked the Government of Northern IrelandGovernment of Northern Ireland
The Government of Northern Ireland is, generally speaking, whatever political body exercises political authority over Northern Ireland. A number of separate systems of government exist or have existed in Northern Ireland....
's Ministry of Commerce to lend it £22,000 to pay for the two locomotives. Protracted negotiations between the SLNCR, Ministry of Commerce and Beyer, Peacock eventually resulted in a hire purchase
Hire purchase
Hire purchase is the legal term for a contract, in this persons usually agree to pay for goods in parts or a percentage at a time. It was developed in the United Kingdom and can now be found in China, Japan, Malaysia, India, South Africa, Australia, Jamaica and New Zealand. It is also called...
agreement in 1951, and the two locomotives were shipped from England to Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
in June and July of that year. They were taken first to the GNR's Adelaide locomotive depot
Motive power depot
Motive power depot, usually abbreviated to MPD, is a name given to places where locomotives are stored when not being used, and also repaired and maintained. They were originally known as "running sheds", "engine sheds", or, for short, just sheds. Facilities are provided for refuelling and...
in Belfast, where their side tanks were fitted. They were then delivered to the SLNCR's locomotive depot at , County Leitrim
County Leitrim
County Leitrim is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Leitrim. Leitrim County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
The Lough class became the last new steam locomotives to enter revenue-earning service with an Irish railway company. CIÉ's turf burning locomotive
CIÉ No. CC1
Córas Iompair Éireann No. CC1, generally known as the Turf Burner, was a prototype 0-6-6-0 articulated steam locomotive designed by Oliver Bulleid to burn turf and built at CIÉ's Inchicore Works in Dublin. CC1 shared some, but not all, of the characteristics of Bulleid's previous attempt to...
entered traffic later, but remained experimental and never entered revenue-earning service. The Loughs could haul trains 25% heavier than the Sir Henrys, and they were worked hard from 1951 until the SLNCR's closure.
The SLNCR had never prospered, and in 1957 it closed to all traffic. On Monday 30 September 1957 Lough Melvin hauled the company's last service, a mixed train
Mixed train
A mixed train is a train that hauls both passenger and freight cars or wagons. In the early days of railways they were quite common, but by the 20th century they were largely confined to branch lines with little traffic. As the trains provided passengers with very slow service, mixed trains have...
from Eniskillen to Sligo.
SLNCR livery
By the 1950s the SLNCR's locomotive livery was unlined black. Brasswork was also painted black but the borders and lettering of the locomotive nameplates were picked out in red. Coupling rodCoupling rod
right|thumb|connecting rod and coupling rods attached to a small locomotive driving wheelA coupling rod or side rod connects the driving wheels of a locomotive. Steam locomotives in particular usually have them, but some diesel and electric locomotives, especially older ones and shunters, also have...
s and buffer beams
Buffer (rail transport)
A buffer is a part of the buffers-and-chain coupling system used on the railway systems of many countries, among them most of those in Europe, for attaching railway vehicles to one another....
were also painted red.
Identification
The SLNCR did not number its steam locomotives but named them. The Lough Class were named Lough MelvinLough Melvin
Lough Melvin is a lake which is internationally renowned for its unique range of plants and animals. It is located in the northwest of Ireland on the border between County Leitrim and County Fermanagh ....
and Lough Erne
Lough Erne
Lough Erne, sometimes Loch Erne , is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne. The river begins by flowing north, and then curves west into the Atlantic. The southern lake is further up the river and so is named Upper...
.
| Name | Builders | Works No. | Date | UTA No. | Withdrawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lough Melvin | Beyer, Peacock & Co., Gorton Foundry | 7138 (a) | 1949 | 26 | 1965 |
| Lough Erne | Beyer, Peacock & Co., Gorton Foundry | 7242 (b) | 1949 | 27 | 1969 |
(a) : Beyer, Peacock & Co. works numbers 7136/7/8 were originally allocated to three War Department Garratt locomotives. This order was cancelled, 7136 and 7137 were re-allocated to two extra Garratts for the Great Western Railway of Brazil, added to a delayed pre-war order sub-contracted to Henschel & Son
Henschel & Son
Henschel & Son was a German company, situated in Kassel, best known during the 20th century as a maker of transportation equipment, including locomotives, trucks, buses and trolleybuses, and armoured fighting vehicles and weapons....
.
(b) : The last tank locomotive built by Beyer Peacock & Co., order No.1427.
Sale and UTA service
When the SLNCR closed at the end of September 1957 the Loughs were still on hire purchase from their builders. Beyer, Peacock eventually sold the pair in 1959 to the Ulster Transport AuthorityUlster Transport Authority
The Ulster Transport Authority ran rail and bus transport in Northern Ireland from 1948 until 1966.-Formation and consolidation:The UTA was formed by the Transport Act 1948, which merged the Northern Ireland Road Transport Board and the Belfast and County Down Railway...
(UTA).
The UTA designated the Loughs Class Z and numbered them 26 and 27, but they continued to carry their names and nameplates. For a short while the UTA allocated both locomotives to Adelaide shed for service as shunters on the quays and Grosvenor Road goods yard. It then transferred them to York Road, where they eventually replaced NCC Class Y
NCC Class Y
The LMS Northern Counties Committee Class Y was a class of 0-6-0T steam locomotives formed when two LMS Fowler Class 3F engines were regauged from standard gauge to the 5 ft 3 in Irish broad gauge in 1944 becoming NCC Nos.18 and 19.- History :During World War II, the NCC was very short of...
.
On 28 May 1960, locomotive 26 Lough Melvin hauled a two-coach Irish Railway Record Society special train from Belfast Belfast York Road
Yorkgate railway station
Yorkgate railway station serves the north of the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The station opened in 1992, replacing the previous York Road station nearby.-York Road Railway Station:...
to , and via the former Belfast Central Railway to Belfast Queen's Quay, the tour eventually terminating at . This was recorded as the first passenger working of an ex-SLNCR locomotive in the ownership of the UTA.
The UTA withdrew 26 Lough Melvin from service in 1965 but did not dispose of it. Northern Ireland Railways
Northern Ireland Railways
NI Railways, also known as Northern Ireland Railways and for a brief period of time, Ulster Transport Railways , is the railway operator in Northern Ireland...
(NIR) took over the UTA's railway operations in 1967 and sold Lough Melvin for scrap in 1968. NIR withdrew 27 Lough Erne in 1969.
Preservation
The Railway Preservation Society of IrelandRailway Preservation Society of Ireland
The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland is an Irish railway preservation group operating in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1964. The Society has its headquarters at Whitehead, County Antrim, Northern Ireland and a base at Mullingar, County Westmeath...
bought Lough Erne and used it to shunt its yard at Whitehead until its boiler failed in 1972. Lough Erne remains at Whitehead awaiting extensive restoration.
Sources
- Various copies of Modern RailwaysModern RailwaysModern Railways is a British monthly magazine covering the rail transport industry published by Ian Allan. It has been published since 1962....
from the 1970s.
See also
- Steam locomotives of IrelandSteam locomotives of IrelandA wide variety of steam locomotives have been used on Ireland's railways. This page lists all those that have been used in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland...