CIÉ 181 Class

File:CIE 185 loco.jpg

These locomotives were virtually identical to the earlier 141 Class locomotives, but fitted with the more powerful 645 engine and thermostatically controlled engine cooling fan and inlet shutters. Delivery took place in 1966, with introduction into service happening a short time later.

They were fitted with an EMD 8-645E engine of 1100 hp,{{Cite web|url=http://emdexport.railfan.net/engine1.html|title=Engine}} weighed {{convert|67|t}}, and had a maximum design speed of {{convert|143|km/h|abbr=on}} which was restricted to {{convert|120|km/h|abbr=on}} in service. Number 186 was later fitted with an EMD 8-567CR engine of {{convert|960|hp|abbr=on}}, as used in the 141 Class locomotives.

All of the 181 class have been withdrawn, the first being 191 in 1991 after a runaway incident at Clonsilla; it was later scrapped in 1998.[http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/loco_190.htm ITG website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821082715/http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/loco_190.htm |date=21 August 2010 }} In their final days they were only used on permanent way trains or as pilots. The last of the class to be withdrawn was 190 in November 2009, which spent its last days in service as the Inchicore works pilot engine{{Cite web |title=CIÉ 190 |url=https://www.downrail.co.uk/rollingstock/190/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Downpatrick and County Down Railway |language=en-GB}} before being immediately acquired for preservation by the Irish Traction Group. The locomotive was moved to Moyasta Junction on West Clare Railway for storage,{{Cite web|url=http://irnirishrailwaynews.yuku.com/topic/486/t/Re-141-181-Watch.html?page=-1|title=141/181 Watch}} where it would remain for 16 years. On 31 May 2025, 190 was moved by road to Downpatrick railway station on the Downpatrick and County Down Railway, arriving there the following day.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Niall |date=2025-06-02 |title=ITG locos on the move |url=https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/itg-locos-on-the-move |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Irish Traction Group |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Niall |date=2025-06-02 |title=Historic GM locomotives join the Downpatrick fleet |url=https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/06/new-locos-arrive-at-downpatrick/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Downpatrick and County Down Railway |language=en-GB}}

• On Tuesday 13 August 1974, locomotive B192 was hauling a passenger train when it was involved in a head-on collision with locomotive B176, which was also hauling a passenger train, at {{rws|Rosslare Strand}}. Fifteen people were injured.{{cite web |url=http://www.raiu.ie/download/pdf/accident_rosslare.pdf |title=REPORT OF INQUIRY INTO THE COLLISION THAT OCCURRED AT ROSSLARE STRAND STATION ON 13th AUGUST 1974 |author=Department of Transport and Power |publisher=The Stationery Office via Rail Accident Investigation Unit |date=March 1975 |accessdate=16 May 2014}}

Murphy Models of Dublin commissioned Bachmann to produce an OO gauge model of these locomotives.{{cite magazine|title=Murphy 181 Class|first=Ben|last=Jones|magazine=Model Rail|pages=18–19|issue=114|date=February 2008|location=Peterborough|publisher=EMAP Active|issn=1369-5118|oclc=173324502}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.murphymodels.com/Inwork.html|title = Murphy Models in the works}} This model first was released in December 2007. It has been supplied in all four main liveries worn by the class.

{{reflist}}

• {{Strickland Locomotive Directory|page=167}}

{{Commons category|CIÉ 181 Class}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081012121240/http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/Irish%20Locos/A%26Bindex.html Eiretrains - Irish Locomotives]
• [https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/loco/190 Preserved 181 class loco No.190]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cie 181 Class}}

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Category:5 ft 3 in gauge locomotives

Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1966

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