| Córas Iompair Éireann E class (later 421 class) | |
| Powertype: | Diesel-hydraulic |
| Builder: | Córas Iompair Éireann, Inchicore works |
| Builddate: | 1962 |
| Totalproduction: | 14 |
| Uicclass: | C |
| Wheeldiameter: | 3feet |
| Length: | 9.56m (31.36feet) |
| Primemover: | Maybach MD220 |
| Enginetype: | Diesel |
| Transmission: | Mekydro KL64U torque converter |
| Multipleworking: | Yes |
| Maxspeed: | 40km/h |
| Poweroutput: | 420hp |
| Tractiveeffort: | Starting: 26700lbf |
| Operator: | Córas Iompair Éireann |
| Fleetnumbers: | E421–E434 |
| Firstrundate: | 1962–1963 |
| Withdrawndate: | 1979–1983 |
| Disposition: | 3 preserved, remainder scrapped |
The Córas Iompair Éireann 421 Class was a railway locomotive, built by the CIÉ at Inchicore Works between 1962–1963 and designed for branch line traffic use and shunting.
The 421 Class was a larger development of the earlier 401 Class, and were fitted with a Maybach MD220 engine of with diesel hydraulic transmission via a Mekydro KL64U transmission. Unlike the earlier E401 class, these locomotives were fitted for multiple operation. They were of C wheel arrangement.
The first of the class made its debut in early October 1962 on pilot duties in the Dublin area and although they had a design maximum speed of 100km/h, experience (notably the derailment of a trial train hauled by E421) showed that they did not ride well when travelling at speeds over 40km/h and so henceforth were limited to that speed and used simply for shunting duties instead. They were numbered E421–E434, and were withdrawn from service between 1979 and 1983.
Three of these locomotives have been preserved, as follows:
The E421 was available as a resin model from "Q Kits", but this company is no longer trading as the owner has retired.