The Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) Class H were an 0-6-0 locomotive bought in 1880 from Avonside Engine Company. After 1925 they became Great Southern Railways (GSR) class 619 / Inchicore class J6.[1][2]

MGWR H class
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderAvonside Engine Company
Build date1878
Total produced4
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte0-6-0
Gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Driver dia.4 ft 9 in (1,450 mm)
Career
OperatorsMidland Great Western Railway (MGWR)
Great Southern Railways (GSR)
CIÉ
Number in class4
NumbersMGWR 96-99
GSR 619-622
LocaleIreland
Withdrawn1945-1949
DispositionAll scrapped

Fleet

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MGWR No. Name Built GSR No. Withdrawn
96 Avonside 1878 619 1949
97 Hibernia 1878 620 1949
98 Caledonia 1878 621 1949
99 Cambria 1878 622 1945

History

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The MGWR acquired these engines at a favourable price from the Avonside Engine Company when the original customer, the Waterford, Dungarvan and Lismore Railway, refused the locomotives due to late delivery and other potential buyers had rejected them.[1] They were notable for being fitted with more comfortable and spacious cabs compared to contemporary MGWR designed locomotives. Due to lack of vacuum train brakes they were confined to North Wall freight yard workings until their first and very extensive rebuild in 1906-1908.[2]

Locomotive no. 99 was used in the trials of the patent Cusack-Morton superheater from 1915 to 1916. All the class were then rebuilt with either a Belpaire(Robinson) superheater boiler with piston values between 1918 and 1922.[2]

Noted as powerful free steaming engines capable of hauling 55 wagons on the main line they proved for goods work they were also suitable for slower speed passenger services.[2][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Shepherd, Ernie (1994). The Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland – An illustrated History. Midland Publishing Limited. pp. 86–87. ISBN 1-85780-008-7.
  2. ^ a b c d Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. pp. 201–202. ISBN 9781906578268.