201 Class Locomotives

steamengine

I thought it might be time to kick off a thread and shoot the breeze on the 201 Class. Observations, stories, debates, photos, videos all welcome !!!

Here's my contribution for starters !!! River Lagan on the 13.20 dep down Enterprise, passing through Killester earlier today.

Judgement Day

Why is 208 renumbered 8208? What purpose does the renumbering serve?

steamengine

Judgement Day wrote: »

Why is 208 renumbered 8208? What purpose does the renumbering serve?

According to Wikipedia (8)208 is owned by NIR - I suppose the 8 is a designator to show that.

roundymac

All NIR owned locos were renumbered with the number 8 as the first number, so say the three 071 type's that were 111, 112, 113, were renumbered 8111 and so forth. This also applies to 201 class locos, I think there is two of them in NIR ownership.

Stonewolf

It's so they don't confuse them with buses when looking at a spreadsheet.

Losty Dublin

roundymac wrote: »

All NIR owned locos were renumbered with the number 8 as the first number, so say the three 071 type's that were 111, 112, 113, were renumbered 8111 and so forth. This also applies to 201 class locos, I think there is two of them in NIR ownership.

All 5 NIR loco's are prefixed with an 8.

When Irish Rail introduced the 2900 class CAF commuter railcars in 2003, it was found that the fleet numbering system would overrun into the 3000s, a numerical that was reserved for a new series of DMU for the north. A similar issue arose with the now 22000 class as it would have infringed into the 2600 series, causing issues with signaling etc The solution was to rename the classes 29000 and 22000 respectively.

And don't start me on the European numbering system:D

CaptainSkidmark

Cookie_Monster

Only cost the same as another loco to do but a seriously cool picture

Captain Chaos

Losty Dublin wrote: »

All 5 NIR loco's are prefixed with an 8.

When Irish Rail introduced the 2900 class CAF commuter railcars in 2003, it was found that the fleet numbering system would overrun into the 3000s, a numerical that was reserved for a new series of DMU for the north. A similar issue arose with the now 22000 class as it would have infringed into the 2600 series, causing issues with signaling etc The solution was to rename the classes 29000 and 22000 respectively.

NIR officially renumbered 111,113 and 208 with the 8 prefix but 112 and 209 are yet to have it painted on them.

Also with the 8 prefix, the NIR 111 class infringe on the LHB DART power units the 8100s.

8208 would infringe upon the Alstom 8200 DARTs if, god forbid, IE bought more of them pieces of junk at the time.

Losty Dublin

Captain Chaos wrote: »

NIR officially renumbered 111,113 and 208 with the 8 prefix but 112 and 209 are yet to have it painted on them.

Also with the 8 prefix, the NIR 111 class infringe on the LHB DART power units the 8100s.

8208 would infringe upon the Alstom 8200 DARTs if, god forbid, IE bought more of them pieces of junk at the time.

You wouldn't mind but 209 and 112 have spent that much time in the repair sheds that they really ought to have been numbered correctly by now

The issue with the Dart numbers clashing with the diesels doesn't arise as they have no need to be entered into the NI signaling or stock systems, they being unable to work across the border.

Captain Chaos

Losty Dublin wrote: »

You wouldn't mind but 209 and 112 have spent that much time in the repair sheds that they really ought to have been numbered.

they being unable to work across the border.

And to think in 2005-2006 when 112 was in IE hands, it was the best loco in the country. 209 was always a bit of a lemon I think.

True about the DARTs but they do get dragged up to Drogheda the odd time.:pac:

Losty Dublin

Captain Chaos wrote: »

And to think in 2005-2006 when 112 was in IE hands, it was the best loco in the country. 209 was always a bit of a lemon I think.

True about the DARTs but they do get dragged up to Drogheda the odd time.:pac:

Agreed on both counts. NIR just don't have the engineering savvy that the lads in the Works seem to have; little wonder both are sent to Dublin for any heavy work.

Captain Chaos

Captain Chaos wrote: »

And to think in 2005-2006 when 112 was in IE hands, it was the best loco in the country.

I remembered hearing the same about 233 after the silencer bypass experiment.

A short clip of the miniature variety.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giYgKOZB0mA

Murphy Models 220 with some Cravens. Got 220 yesterday and was giving her a test this afternoon. I have 220 and 229, which is in the current silver/green livery.

steamengine

206 on the 13.20 dep. down Enterprise passing through Howth Junction today. DVT 9002. Karsini - just as quiet as your miniature 220 thanks to those silencers.

gsxr1

CaptainSkidmark wrote: »

No way. way to heavy. That's hard to believe ....

If ya seen the bend those trains put on the line when passing.

corktina

totally true.Russian ex military aircraft iirc

Cookie_Monster

corktina wrote: »

totally true.Russian ex military aircraft iirc

Antonov An-124
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-124

roundymac

AFAIK Was sent over by air because they would be in breach of contract for late delivery. These loco's are know as track wreckers because of the damage their fixed bogies do to the rails.

Judgement Day

I think it was more of an IE publicity stunt that backfired. There was loads of coverage in the Canadian press but IE's spin doctors wasted a great opportunity for publicity. Anyway, where are they now?

roundymac

I remember seeing it on the RTE 1 news, but that was about the coverage that I can remember seeing.

steamengine

Quote from Wikipedia !

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.

I've heard that at that time it was the world record for the heaviest cargo ever transported by air.

Judgement Day

Not quite I think - the heaviest single unit (ie a loco) transported but NOT the heaviest load in an Antonov at the time.

Losty Dublin

Judgement Day wrote: »

I think it was more of an IE publicity stunt that backfired. There was loads of coverage in the Canadian press but IE's spin doctors wasted a great opportunity for publicity. Anyway, where are they now?

We had the special edition magazine about the movement in the house for ages. I'd still have it only Sean Browne was given it the time the auld fella visited him to chat about getting him his crown jewel. The ETS miniature staff for Castlerea-Ballyhaunis that is, not A 55. They sorted it out another night over porter, all of it for free

Cookie_Monster

roundymac wrote: »

AFAIK Was sent over by air because they would be in breach of contract for late delivery. These loco's are know as track wreckers because of the damage their fixed bogies do to the rails.

What fixed bogies?

steamengine

206 River Liffey passing through Howth Junction on the 13.20 dep. down Enterprise today. DVT 9002.

Eiretrains

A video showing some 201s at speed with some good sound too, still not as good as an 071 though.:p

lord lucan

Eiretrains wrote: »

still not as good as an 071 though.:p

I agree wholeheartedly with this.:D

steamengine

Nostalgia is the thing of the future. Just being proactive in capturing the 'Evening Star' moments of locomotion, as perhaps the 22000 moment may not be too far away for the Enterprise. Does anyone know anything about if, and when, the 22000's will be phased in, as there seems to be plenty of them in Connolly. Great video - thanks Eiretrains. :)

steamengine

steamengine wrote: »

Nostalgia is the thing of the future. Just being proactive in capturing the 'Evening Star' moments of locomotion, as perhaps the 22000 moment may not be too far away for the Enterprise. Does anyone know anything about if, and when, the 22000's will be phased in, as there seems to be plenty of them in Connolly. Great video - thanks Eiretrains. :)

Only some of the early 3-car sets are fitted with TPWS so the majority of the ICR fleet cannot work over the border. 22001-22006.

dowlingm

steamengine wrote: »

Nostalgia is the thing of the future. Just being proactive in capturing the 'Evening Star' moments of locomotion, as perhaps the 22000 moment may not be too far away for the Enterprise. Does anyone know anything about if, and when, the 22000's will be phased in, as there seems to be plenty of them in Connolly. Great video - thanks Eiretrains. :)

I believe Drogheda depot may be finally ready to accept 22s but until the new sets are released to service this will probably mean Sligo/Rosslare sets being serviced there instead of Portlaoise rather than being placed on Enterprise or even the morning service ex Newry.

Of course it remains to be seen if 22s can tow a DART to Drogheda as the 29s do these days

Losty Dublin

22's won't be crossing the border anytime soon. NIR require a guard on all trains on their track; as of yet they have not trained any guards, drivers or inspector to operate the sets. This means that any 22's running north can only be crewed with Irish Rail staff. In any case, the sets have not been cleared to operate beyond Dundalk nor has NIR been in a position to address this.

steamengine

Losty Dublin wrote: »

22's won't be crossing the border anytime soon. NIR require a guard on all trains on their track; as of yet they have not trained any guards, drivers or inspector to operate the sets. This means that any 22's running north can only be crewed with Irish Rail staff. In any case, the sets have not been cleared to operate beyond Dundalk nor has NIR been in a position to address this.

Which means that, all things being equal, the spectacle of 201's at speed can be enjoyed for some time to come ! The Lady's Bridge between Balbriggan and Skerries is an ideal place to watch the Enterprise, for anyone whose interested !!! The Northbound Enterprise rounds the bend at Barnageera, on to the straight, and down past the footbridge, usually quite fast. A lot quieter than the 071's but if you time it right you might also see a Tara, and almost certainly some Commuters. The Commuters don't sit about either ! :)

dowlingm

Losty Dublin wrote: »

22's won't be crossing the border anytime soon. NIR require a guard on all trains on their track; as of yet they have not trained any guards, drivers or inspector to operate the sets. This means that any 22's running north can only be crewed with Irish Rail staff

Losty could the existing arrangements for the 29s (Newry commuter, Enterprise failure replacement) not be carried over to the 22s or has at least some NIR crew training been done in addition to gauge clearance? Not disputing you, to be clear, just trying to get a sense for how many boxes need to be ticked before a 22 goes north in any circumstance.

The DDs are coming up to the 15 year mark so even if the 22s aren't going to supplement them they will likely be needed to backstop the service when the DDs start needing refurb work, the question is how long can that work be deferred?

Losty Dublin

dowlingm wrote: »

Losty could the existing arrangements for the 29s (Newry commuter, Enterprise failure replacement) not be carried over to the 22s or has at least some NIR crew training been done in addition to gauge clearance? Not disputing you, to be clear, just trying to get a sense for how many boxes need to be ticked before a 22 goes north in any circumstance.

The DDs are coming up to the 15 year mark so even if the 22s aren't going to supplement them they will likely be needed to backstop the service when the DDs start needing refurb work, the question is how long can that work be deferred?

In the case of the sole 29000 that works ex Newry, a man is to be on board to cover the guard duty. The Enterprise replacements are crewed by the already allocated crew of driver and guard as need be so no special arrangement is required. The remedy as I understand it is for NIR to train their staff to accept and handle the sets and for them to be cleared for platform and bridge clearance, signaling, train radio etc. Kingshankly will know more about the specifics as he is a Connolly driver and I'll bow to his call on this

shamwari

steamengine wrote: »

the spectacle of 201's at speed can be enjoyed for some time to come ! The Lady's Bridge between Balbriggan and Skerries is an ideal place to watch the Enterprise, for anyone whose interested !!!

+1 on that. That stretch just below Ardgillan allows any train to do itself justice. The Beller fairly hammers through there. 071 on a laden Tara has to be heard to believed too. Notch 8 at 40mph....:)

kc56

Karsini wrote: »

I remembered hearing the same about 233 after the silencer bypass experiment.

Don't know if it's the same loco, but there's a 201 on the Dublin-Cork service doing its best to emulate an 071 these days. Normally passes by at full power. Good crack from the exhaust at close quarters and a throb as a it heads down the track.

Captain Chaos

kc56 wrote: »

Don't know if it's the same loco, but there's a 201 on the Dublin-Cork service doing its best to emulate an 071 these days. Normally passes by at full power. Good crack from the exhaust at close quarters and a throb as a it heads down the track.

Could be 206, I almost thought there was a tara passing HJ a few months ago only to see 206 with a late Enterprise thunder though the station. Very rare to see an Enterprise go though HJ at any sort of speed these days.

According to IRN it's 220. Seems to be another bypass like 233 used to have.

Oscar Bravo

Sure is 220,saw it on the IWT a few times last year.Lovely sound going up the hill leaving Claremorris.

101sean

Had my camera on my dog walk today, too late for an 071 but this is how close to the line we walk.

228 Cork bound


Well compressed half mile stretch to Milltown Bridge

dowlingm

That picture with the loco is exactly how I think the Achill-Westport greenway should be extended to Claremorris and onwards to Sligo and Athenry. The arrangement could be that IE would have the right to close sections of the greenway from time to time so the greenway could also act as a service road.

Oscar Bravo

Enterprise Loco,207,worked the empty train from Waterford-Ballina today. It will return to Waterford with the laden timber tomorrow(1620 Ex Ballina),a nice photo op as its rare to have a 201,let alone an Enterprise one on a timber.

101sean

Enterprise loco on Cork train through here at around 13.30 yesterday, think it was 233. Crept up on me as I was daydreaming and didn't have time to wield the camera

steamengine

101sean wrote: »

Enterprise loco on Cork train through here at around 13.30 yesterday, think it was 233. Crept up on me as I was daydreaming and didn't have time to wield the camera

Oscar Bravo wrote: »

Enterprise Loco,207,worked the empty train from Waterford-Ballina today. It will return to Waterford with the laden timber tomorrow(1620 Ex Ballina),a nice photo op as its rare to have a 201,let alone an Enterprise one on a timber.

With the 201's I found that you have to keep an eye out for them, unlike the 071's which give you about a 'mile' to get the camera ready. Here's a pic of 207 passing through Harmonstown about a year ago, and 233 passing through Killester a couple of months back.

demanufactured

Those enterprise locos always look manky...you'd think they'd give the a wash once in a while...

Oscar Bravo

207 is alot cleaner at the moment than pictured above,but i agree and the 071s should be washed too.I suppose they knew what they were at when they painted them mostly black.

steamengine

Popped down to nearby Howth Junction earlier, just in time to see 228 hauling the 13.20 dep down Enterprise. Engine humming and turbo whistling nicely as it passed by. :D:D

Rud

Went down to see the usual 071 and DFDS combo last Friday 2nd of March in my hometown station in Athy when i was happily surprised by this beauty,which was far from home.Great to see the Enterprises getting plenty of rotation on the freight trains over the last while

demanufactured

Rud wrote: »

Went down to see the usual 071 and DFDS combo last Friday 2nd of March in my hometown station in Athy when i was happily surprised by this beauty,which was far from home.Great to see the Enterprises getting plenty of rotation on the freight trains over the last while

They do that to give them a break from being run in HEP mode all the time i think.