IE 201 Class
201 Class (8)209 light-engine at Moira in the current Enterprise livery
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| Type and origin | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | General Motors Locomotive Group (GMLG), London, Ontario, Canada |
| Model | JT42HCW |
| Build date | 1994–1995 |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| UIC class | Co′Co′ |
| Gauge | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) |
| Trucks | GC bogies |
| Wheel diameter | 1,016 mm (40 in) |
| Length | 20.955 m (68 ft 9 in) |
| Width | 2.64 m (8 ft 8 in) |
| Height | 4.02 m (13 ft 2 in) |
| Loco weight | 108.862 tonnes (107.143 long tons; 120.000 short tons) |
| Fuel capacity | 4,500 litres (990 imp gal; 1,200 US gal) |
| Prime mover | EMD 12-710G3B |
| Engine type | V12 diesel |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged |
| Traction motors | Six axle-hung, nose-suspended D43 traction motors |
| Cylinders | 12 |
| MU working | All IÉ and NIR GM-EMD locomotives |
| Train heating | HEP: Dayton-Phoenix alternator, model E7145, 438 kVA, 220/380VAC, 3-phase, 50 Hz |
| Loco brake | Air & Vacuum, 27LAV Blended Brakes, not used |
| Performance figures | |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed | 164 km/h (102 mph) |
| Power output | 3,200 hp (2,400 kW) gross; 2,970 hp (2,210 kW) traction |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Operators | Iarnród Éireann Northern Ireland Railways |
| Number in class | 32 Irish Rail and 2 Northern Ireland Railways |
| Numbers | 201–234 |
The Iarnród Éireann (IE) 201 Class locomotives are the newest and most powerful diesel locomotives operating in Ireland, and were built between 1994 and 1995 by General Motors. They are model type JT42HCW, fitted with an EMD 12-710G3B engine of 3,200 hp (2,400 kW), weigh 108.862 tonnes (107.143 long tons; 120.000 short tons) and have a maximum speed of 164 km/h (102 mph). A freight version, the EMD Series 66, with the same engine is used on privately operated European mainline freight duties.
By the early 1990s, the locomotives operating passenger services in Ireland were becoming increasingly obsolete, with the newest type in service being the 071 Class introduced in 1976. The economic boom in Ireland in the mid-1990s allowed Iarnród Éireann to begin significant investment in the infrastructure of the railways, which began with an order for 32 brand new express locomotives from GM-EMD. Northern Ireland Railways also purchased 2. The first were delivered in 1994, with deliveries continuing until 1995.
To allow clearance tests and driver training to commence in advance of the delivery of the main order of 201s, it was decided to transport the first locomotive, number 201, to Dublin by air. An Antonov An-124 was used to transport the locomotive from London, Ontario to Dublin Airport, arriving on 9 June 1994. The first light-engine test run operated from Inchicore works to Kildare on the 14th.
Unfortunately, the locomotives have had a chequered service history. The authors of Jane's Train Recognition Guide noted that IÉ had had problems with engine fires and bogie cracks.
There are three versions within the Class 201:
Today push-pull equipped members of the 201 class operate the only passenger locomotive hauled services in the Republic of Ireland between Dublin and Cork. They operate with Mark 4 carriages which were introduced to the route in 2006/2007. The current livery was introduced in 2006 and it primarily consists of green and silver. All locomotives have full yellow ends to enhance visibility.
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Wikipedia