CIE 141 Class

Córas Iompair Éireann 141 class

Iarnród Éireann 175 at Colbert Station, Limerick, 2006

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Electro Motive Division, La Grange, Illinois, USA Order number 700438–700474 Serial number 27467–57503 Model JL8 Build date October to November 1962 Total produced 37

Specifications AAR wheel arr. B-B UIC class Bo′Bo′ Wheel diameter 40 in (1,016 mm) Length 13.42 m (44 ft 0 in) Loco weight 67 tonnes (66 long tons; 74 short tons) Prime mover EMD 567CR Engine type 8-cylinder Two-stroke diesel Aspiration Roots-type supercharger Traction motors Axle-hung, nose-suspended, 4 off Cylinders 8 Transmission D25 DC generator DC traction motors Train brakes Air & Vacuum

Performance figures Maximum speed 123 km/h (76 mph) Power output 960 hp (720 kW) Tractive effort 197 kN (44,000 lbf) starting

Career Operators Córas Iompair Éireann Iarnród Éireann Class 141 class Numbers B141–B177 (later 141–177) Withdrawn 2010 Disposition 4 preserved, remainder stored or scrapped.

The Córas Iompair Éireann 141 class locomotives were delivered in November and December 1962 from General Motors Electro Motive Division (EMD), the first consignment being unloaded at the North Wall, Dublin on 22 November. They were numbered B141 to B177 and were an updated version of the earlier 121 Class locomotives, mechanically very similar but with cabs at each end.

They are EMD model JL8 (J = Double Ended Cabs, L = Lightweight Frame, 8= 8-cylinder 567 engine) and although originally fitted with an EMD 8-567CR engine of 960 horsepower (720 kW), all were later fitted with 645 type "power packs" (piston & liner assemblies) for parts standardisation. The original power output was kept for reliability reasons. They weighed 67 tonnes and had a maximum speed of 123 km/h (76 mph). Many of these locomotives were later rebuilt with a GM 8-645E engine of 1,100 horsepower (820 kW) (as used in the re-engined Class C locomotives), though some have since had the original engine refitted. The locomotives were delivered in the new livery of brown/black/white.

Following crew training trials between Inchicore and Monasterevin (passenger trains), Kildare (goods trains), and Hazelhatch (light engines), the class appeared on main line trials from Amiens Street (Connolly) to Drogheda, and Westland Row (Pearse) to Arklow on 4 December 1962, entering traffic on the Dublin to Cork main line four days later. The locomotives were fitted for multiple working and double-headed the 10:40 Dublin to Cork train and the return Cork to Dublin at 15:30. These were the heaviest trains at that time. From 10 December 1962 one locomotive was allocated to the Dublin–Belfast "Enterprise" service.

In later years, regular passenger duties included trains on the Rosslare to Waterford/Limerick lines, until they were superseded by railcars on these duties.