GNRI Class U

{{Short description|Class of two-cylinder 4-4-0 locomotives}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}

{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}

{{Infobox locomotive

|name = Great Northern Railway (Ireland) class U

|powertype = Steam

|image = Omagh Station - geograph.org.uk - 332912.jpg

|caption = 204 Antrim on a passenger train leaving Omagh, 7 June 1957

|designer = George T. Glover

|builder = Beyer, Peacock & Co.

|ordernumber =

|serialnumber = 5904-8, 7244-8

|buildmodel =

|builddate = 1915 (5), 1947 (5)

|totalproduction = 10

|rebuilder =

|rebuilddate =

|numberrebuilt =

|whytetype = 4-4-0

|uicclass = 2′B h2

|gauge = {{RailGauge|5ft3in}}

|leadingdiameter =

|driverdiameter = {{convert|5|ft|9|in|m|3|abbr=on}}

|minimumcurve =

|wheelbase =

|length =

|width =

|height =

|axleload =

|weightondrivers =

|locoweight =

|tenderweight =

|locotenderweight =

|tendertype =

|fueltype = coal

|fuelcap =

|watercap =

|tendercap =

|sandcap =

|boiler =

|boilerpressure = {{convert|175|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on}}

|feedwaterheater =

|firearea =

|tubearea =

|fluearea =

|tubesandflues =

|fireboxarea =

|totalsurface =

|superheatertype =

|superheaterarea =

|cylindercount = Two, inside

|cylindersize = {{convert|18|x|24|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|valvegear =

|valvetype =

|valvetravel =

|valvelap =

|valvelead =

|transmission =

|maxspeed =

|poweroutput =

|tractiveeffort = {{convert|16763|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on}}

|factorofadhesion =

|trainheating =

|locobrakes =

|locobrakeforce =

|trainbrakes =

|safety =

|operator = GNR(I)
UTA
CIÉ

|operatorclass = U

|powerclass =

|numinclass =

|fleetnumbers = 196–205

|officialname =

|nicknames =

|axleloadclass =

|locale =

|deliverydate = 1915, 1948

|firstrundate = 1915

|lastrundate = 1965

|withdrawndate = 1959–1965

|preservedunits =

|restoredate =

|scrapdate = 1959, 1961-1965

|currentowner =

|disposition = All scrapped

}}

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

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.Kelly (1993) p.21 They retained the Edwardian appearance of their previous counterparts.

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

class="wikitable sortable" style=text-align:center

! BP serial No. !! Date !! GNR(I) No. !! Name !! Named !! 1958 owner !! 1958 No. !! Withdrawn !! Notes

59041915196Lough Gill1953UTA641961
59051915197Lough Neagh1949CIÉ197N1962
59061915198Lough Swilly1950CIÉ1959198N allocated, but not applied
59081915199Lough Derg1949CIÉ199N1963
59071915200Lough Melvin1950UTA651961
72441948201MeathNewUTA661965
72451948202LouthNewUTA671965
72461948203ArmaghNewCIÉ203N1962
72471948204AntrimNewCIÉ204N1963
72481948205DownNewUTA681965

{{clear}}

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

{{commons category|GNRI Class U}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}

  • {{cite book |last=Kelly |first=Peter |year=1993 |title=The Railway enthusiast Almanac |publisher=Eric Dobby Publishing Ltd |isbn=978-1-85882-008-8}}
  • {{Rowledge-Irish Steam Register}}

{{Refend}}

{{Ireland Steam Locomotives}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gnri Class U}}

U

Category:4-4-0 locomotives

Category:Beyer, Peacock locomotives

Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1915

Category:Steam locomotives of Northern Ireland

Category:Steam locomotives of Ireland

Category:Passenger locomotives

Category:Scrapped locomotives

Category:5 ft 3 in gauge locomotives

Category:2′B h2 locomotives