MGWR Class K
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = MGWR Class K
| image = Railwaysofworld00protrich-p505-MGWR-Connemara-express-Clifden.jpg
| alt =
| caption = MGWR Class K 2-4-0 on an express at Clifden in 1914.
| powertype = Steam
| designer = Martin Atock
| builder = Broadstone Works
| ordernumber =
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| buildmodel =
| builddate = 1893-1898
| totalproduction = 20
| rebuilder =
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| whytetype = {{whyte|2-4-0}}{{cite journal|url=http://docplayer.net/27905707-Volume-7-july-1961-no-3.html|access-date=4 October 2017|title=THE BALLAGHADERREEN BRANCH|date=July 2017|volume=7|issue=3|pages=14–16|journal=Irish Failfan News}}
| uicclass =
| driver =
| gauge = {{track gauge|5ft3in}}
| leadingdiameter = {{convert|4|ft|0|in}}
| driverdiameter =
| coupleddiameter = {{convert|5|ft|8|in}}
| trailingdiameter =
| tenderdiameter =
| minimumcurve =
| wheelbase =
| engine total =
| leading =
| drivers =
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| trailing =
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| tendertruck =
| tenderbogie =
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| wheelspacing =
| length = {{convert|26|ft|5.25|in}}
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| axleload = 15 tons
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| trail bogie/pony=
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| weightondrivers = 26 tons
| locoweight = 38 tons
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| fleetnumbers = MGWR 13-24,27-34
GSR/CIÉ 650-668
| officialname = MGWR Class K
GSR Class 650 G2
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| withdrawndate = 1923 (Civil War loss)
1954-1963 (remainder)
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}}
The MGWR Class K was a Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) {{whyte|2-4-0}} designed by Martin Atock for passenger work and introduced from 1893. They replaced earlier MGWR Class D locomotives that carried the same names and numbers. The class was also known as the Great Southern Railways (GSR) 650 G2 class.{{cite book| title=The Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland - An illustrated History|last=Shepherd|first=Ernie|publisher=Midland Publishing Limited|year=1994|ISBN=1-85780-008-7|pages=85-788,122, 124,130-131}}{{cite book|title=Locomotives of the GSR|pages=208–210|isbn=9781906578268|last1=Clements|first1=Jeremy|last2=McMahon|first2=Michael|year=2008|publisher=Colourpoint Books}}{{cite book|title=Rails to Achill|last=Beaumont|first=Jonathan|date=2002|isbn=978-0853615880|pages=98–99,101}}
Locomotives
class="wikitable" | ||||
MGWR No.
!Name !Introduced !GSR No. !Withdrawn | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
13 | Rapid | 1893 | 659 | 1961 |
14 | Racer | 1893 | 650 | 1959 |
15 | Rover | 1895 | 660 | 1959 |
16 | Rob Roy | |1895 | 651 | 1959 |
17 | Reindeer | 1894 | 661 | 1959 |
18 | Ranger | 1893 | 652 | 1954 |
19 | Spencer | 1894 | 653 | 1963 |
20 | Speedy | 1896 | War loss | 1923 |
21 | Swift | 1896 | 662 | 1955 |
22 | Samson | 1896 | 663 | 1959 |
23 | Sylph | 1896 | 664 | 1961 |
24 | Sprite | 1896 | 665 | 1959 |
27 | Clifton | 1896 | 666 | 1957 |
28 | Clara | 1896 | 654 | 1963 |
29 | Consilla | 1896 | 655 | 1961 |
30 | Active | 1897 | 656 | 1957 |
31 | Alert | 1897 | 667 | 1957 |
32 | Ariel | 1897 | 668 | 1959 |
33 | Arrow | 1898 | 657 | 1961 |
34 | Aurora | 1898 | 658 | 1954 |
Design and historical development
The design was a progression of the MGWR Class D standard passenger locomotive and resulted in a design more powerful than the MGWR Class D-bogie 4-4-0. They were rebuilt with superheated boilers from 1918 increasing their power still further and becoming one of the few if not only superheated 2-4-0 classes in the world.
Services
They were initially allocated to top expresses such at the limited mail with some of the heaviest requiring double heading. After the turn of the century they were displaced by {{whyte|4-4-0}} types to secondary duties throughout the MGWR network but became mainly based around the Sligo line in the GSR/CIÉ era. On the Achill line they would be brought in for heavier trains particular after 6 coupled locomotives were banned after 1925 on that branch. They remained active and useful into the 1950s with the last withdrawal in 1963. The locomotive class was also noted for working on the Ballaghaderreen branch line in its final years.
Accidents and Incidents
References
{{reflist}}
{{Ireland Steam Locomotives}}
Category:5 ft 3 in gauge locomotives
Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1893