DWWR 24 explained

DW&WR 24
Powertype:Steam
Designer:Meikle/John Wakefield
Builder:Sharp Stewart
Serialnumber:1478–80 2304/5
Builddate:1864, 1873
Totalproduction:5
Leadingdiameter:3feet
Driverdiameter:5feet
Length:29feet (est.)
Axleload:11.5LT
Locoweight:32.2LT
Watercap:2100impgal
Boilerpressure:1602NaN2
Cylindercount:2
Cylindersize:16x
Tractiveeffort:11140lbf
Operatorclass:G7 (Inchicore)
Powerclass:Q
Numinclass:4
Locale:Ireland
Withdrawndate:1928
Notes:As built

Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway (DW&WR) 24 was the lead engine of a class of five tender locomotives built in two batches in 1864 and 1873.

History

The engines are attributed to the locomotive superintendent William Meikle and the first three, Nos. 24 (Glenamore), 25 (Gleanart) and No. 26 were supplied in 1864. A further two, No. 32 (Glenmalure) and No. 33 (Glendalough) with detail differences followed in 1873.

At this time the DW&WR was extending south, from in 1963 to by 1874. These engines took over the main line express passenger trains to Wicklow and Wexford from earlier 2-4-0 types. They continued to work main line expresses until replaced by more powerful 4-4-0s in 1895.

No. 26 (Blackrock) was converted into a locomotive in 1900 and served on the Shillelagh branch line thereafter.

No. 25 was Irish Civil War loss. All were life expired by 1925 and withdrawn immediately on the amalgamation to Great Southern Railways apart from No. 24 which lasted until 1928 becoming GSR No. 422 and the sole member of class 422 / G7.