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]
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Fleet
edit| MGWR No. | Name | Built | GSR No. | Withdrawn |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
editThe 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]