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 =

| serialnumber =

| buildmodel =

| builddate = 1893-1898

| totalproduction = 20

| rebuilder =

| rebuilddate =

| numberrebuilt =

| 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 =

| coupled =

| trailing =

| tender total =

| tendertruck =

| tenderbogie =

| pivotcentres =

| wheelspacing =

| length = {{convert|26|ft|5.25|in}}

| over couplers =

| over bufferbeams=

| width =

| height =

| frametype =

| axleload = 15 tons

| leadingbogie/pony=

| coupled all =

| coupled 1 =

| coupled 2 =

| coupled 3 =

| coupled 4 =

| coupled 5 =

| coupled 6 =

| coupled 7 =

| coupled 8 =

| trail bogie/pony=

| tenderbogieload =

| tenderaxle =

| weightondrivers = 26 tons

| locoweight = 38 tons

| tenderweight =

| locotenderweight =

| tendertype =

| fueltype =

| fuelcap =

| watercap =

| tendercap =

| sandcap =

| fireboxtype =

| firearea =

| boiler =

| boilertype =

| pitch =

| diameterinside =

| lengthinside =

| smalltubediameter=

| largetubediameter=

| boilerpressure =

| safetyvalvetype =

| feedwaterheater =

| totalsurface =

| tubearea =

| archarea =

| fluearea =

| tubesandflues =

| fireboxarea =

| superheatertype =

| superheaterarea =

| cylindercount =

| cylindersize =

| frontcylindersize=

| rearcylindersize =

| hpcylindersize =

| lpcylindersize =

| valvegear =

| valvetype =

| valvetravel =

| valvelap =

| valvelead =

| transmission =

| trainheating =

| locobrakes =

| locobrakeforce =

| trainbrakes =

| safety =

| coupling =

| maxspeed =

| poweroutput =

| tractiveeffort =

| factorofadhesion =

| operator = MGWR
GSR
CIÉ

| operatorclass =

| powerclass =

| numinclass =

| fleetnumbers = MGWR 13-24,27-34
GSR/CIÉ 650-668

| officialname = MGWR Class K
GSR Class 650 G2

| nicknames =

| axleloadclass =

| locale =

| deliverydate =

| firstrundate =

| lastrundate =

| retiredate =

| withdrawndate = 1923 (Civil War loss)
1954-1963 (remainder)

| preservedunits =

| restoredate =

| scrapdate =

| currentowner =

| disposition =

| notes =

}}

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

13Rapid18936591961
14Racer18936501959
15Rover18956601959
16Rob Roy|18956511959
17Reindeer18946611959
18Ranger18936521954
19Spencer18946531963
20Speedy1896War loss1923
21Swift18966621955
22Samson18966631959
23Sylph18966641961
24Sprite18966651959
27Clifton18966661957
28Clara18966541963
29Consilla18966551961
30Active18976561957
31Alert18976671957
32Ariel18976681959
33Arrow18986571961
34Aurora18986581954

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

Several of the class were damaged in civil war incidents in 1922/23. In particular No. 20 Speedy was destroyed at Killala on 3 February 1923.

References