181 Class

Built: 1966 by GM, La Grange Illinois works USA.

12 of these Bo-Bo locomotives were delivered to CIE in 1966 to complement the earlier batch of 141 Class locos, again designated as the B Class. The 181 Class also carried on the new black & tan colours on delivery. The 181 Class locos are externally similar to the 141 Class, but had upgraded 1100hp engines compared to that of 950hp on 141 and 121 locomotives. Again the 181s could also work in multiple within its own class and with other GM locos.

As you might expect, the 181 Class locos worked all over the Irish Rail system and included services on the Dublin-Belfast 'Enterprise' also, and in later years worked Dublin suburban trains from Maynooth, Arklow and Drogheda. Their last passengers duties were also on cross country services, and in their finals years worked on engineering trains with their sister 121 and 141 Class GM locos. One example, No.190, has been preserved by the ITG.

Max Speed: 80mph Weight: 67tons Length:13.42
Fitted for multiple operation with other GM locos (121+141)
The first member of the 181 Class, No.181, stands outside Inchicore Works, Dublin, in the company of 121 Class loco No.128. The 181s, and the earlier 141s are externally similar, as demonstrated in this view of locos No.181 & No.144 at the sidings at Dublin Connolly. No.184 is on the Navan branch at Drogheda Station, fitted with tail lamps having arrived light engine with a 141 Class loco from Dublin. No.186 was last seen at Inchicore Works, Dublin, having been withdrawn from regular service. The loco was eventually scrapped in late 2008.
No.185 is seen in ex works condition outside the train shed at Dublin Heuston while acting as station pilot in 2000. In February 2003, No.185 is seen having detatched from an engineering train at the south end of Kildare Station, en route to the permanent way depot at Portlaoise. No.185 is seen stabled in the former goods yard on the 'up' side of Portarlington Station with a ballast train. No.185 is seen acting as Dublin Connolly's pilot or shunting loco, seen preparing to haul a of Mk2 stock from the platform 4 to the carriage sidings.
No.185 stands at the ballast loading point north of Craughwell, Co.Galway, while engaged with the rebuilding of the Western Rail Corridor. The loco was finally withdrawn and scrapped in November 2008. In August 1968, B186 departs Cobh Junction, Co.Cork, with a Saturdau service to the seaside town of Cobh. ©John Wallace Having been withdrawn from regular service, No.186 is seen at Inchicore, Dublin, while awaiting scrapping. In 2002, No.187 heads out of Limerick Jct with a service to Limerick City, formed of two Craven built coaches and a Mk1 generator van. Note the ladder on the loco's side panel, a feature of the 181 Class.
Retaining its 181 Class style front vents, No.187 stands outside the loco shed at Connolly, Dublin, in the company of 201 Class No.206. 181/141 Class locomotives Nos.189+146 are seen at the buffer stops at Connolly Station's terminal platforms having worked the final leg of the ITG's 'Docklands Pioneer' railtour back to Dublin. No.189 is seen withdrawn from service at Inchicore Works, Dublin. The loco was eventually scrapped in May 2008. A February 2003 scene sees No.190 standing with 1960s built Craven built coaches at the east end of Glanmire Rd, Cork, before heading a service to Tralee.
141/181 Class locos Nos.190+152 stand at Kilkenny Station having run around the Mk2 stock which formed the Irish Traction Group's 'Docklands Pioneer' special to Waterford. No.192, is seen shunting the Mk2 stock which formed the ITG's 'Dockland Pioneer' railtour out of the platforms at Connolly Station, Dublin. No.192 was the highest numbered of the 181 Class locos, entering service with CIE in December 1966. It is seen stabled at Inchicore, Dublin. No.192 was yet another loco which did not escape the cutters torch, see here again Inchicore, it finally secumbed in November 2008.