GS&WR Class 341

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}

{{Use Irish English|date=July 2018}}

{{Infobox locomotive

| name = GSWR 341 Class

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| powertype = Steam

| designer = {{ubl|Robert Coey|Richard Maunsell}}

| builder = Inchicore Works

| ordernumber =

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| buildmodel =

| builddate = 1913

| totalproduction = 1

| rebuilder =

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| whytetype = 4-4-0

| uicclass =

| driver =

| gauge = {{track gauge|Irish}}

| leadingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|0|in|mm|abbr=on}}

| driverdiameter = {{convert|6|ft|7|in|mm|abbr=on}}

| coupleddiameter =

| trailingdiameter =

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| leading =

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| tendertruck =

| tenderbogie =

| pivotcentres =

| wheelspacing =

| length = {{convert|32|ft|1+3/4|in|mm|abbr=on}}

| over couplers =

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| trail bogie/pony=

| tenderbogieload =

| tenderaxle =

| weightondrivers =

| locoweight = {{convert|60.15|LT|MT}}

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| fueltype =

| fuelcap =

| watercap = {{convert|3345|impgal|abbr=on}}

| tendercap =

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| boiler =

| boilertype =

| pitch =

| diameterinside =

| lengthinside =

| smalltubediameter=

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| boilerpressure = {{ubl|{{convert|160|lbf/in2|MPa|2|abbr=on}}|{{convert|175|lbf/in2|MPa|2|abbr=on}} }}

| safetyvalvetype =

| feedwaterheater =

| totalsurface =

| tubearea =

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| superheatertype =

| superheaterarea =

| cylindercount = 2

| cylindersize = {{ubl|{{convert|20|x|26|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}|{{convert|19|x|26|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} }}

| frontcylindersize=

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| trainheating =

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| safety =

| coupling =

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| poweroutput =

| tractiveeffort = {{ubl|{{convert|17910|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on|lk=on}}|{{convert|17680|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on|lk=on}} }}

| factorofadhesion =

| operator = {{ubl|GS&WR|GSR}}

| operatorclass = D1 (Inchicore)

| powerclass =

| numinclass = 1

| fleetnumbers = 341

| officialname =

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| axleloadclass =

| locale = Ireland

| deliverydate =

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| withdrawndate = 1928

| preservedunits =

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| notes = {{rp|116}}

}}

The Great Southern and Western Railway (GS&WR) Class 341 consisted of a single 4-4-0 express passenger locomotive named Sir William Goulding introduced in 1913 for the DublinCork route. Despite being an apparently capable design it was withdrawn in 1928.{{cite book|title=Locomotives of the GSR|isbn=9781906578268|last1=Clements|first1=Jeremy|last2=McMahon|first2=Michael|year=2008|publisher=Colourpoint Books}}{{rp|116}}

Design

Design was begun by Robert Coey who retired through ill health and completed by Richard Maunsell who was later to design the UK Southern Railway Schools 4-4-0. Equipped with a large diameter boiler and Schmidt superheater. It was unique for the GS&WR and its successor the GSR in having inside Walschaerts valve gear. This design was at the limit achievable by a 4-4-0 within the axle weight restriction limits and it was weighed regularly to ensure compliance. The only change to the initial design was a later reduction in cylinder diameter {{rp|57,116}}

Service

Due to weight restrictions it served on the DublinCork route only where from 1916 it later shared services with the new EA Watson designed 400 Class 4-6-0 against which engine 341 seems to have compared favourably.{{rp|57,116,233–235}}

Withdrawal

The locomotive was withdrawn in 1928 after just 15 years, three 400 class express locomotives were also retired shortly afterwards as surplus to requirements.{{rp|57,116,233–235}}

Model

There is a detailed O Gauge model of engine 341 in the Fry model railway collection.{{rp|380}}

References