Iarnród Éireann 201 class

IÉ 215 in Mk4 livery, Cork Station, May 2006
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	General Motors Locomotive Group (GMLG), London, Ontario, Canada
Model	JT42HCW
Build date	1994–1995
UIC classification	Co'Co'
Trucks	GC bogies
Wheel diameter	1,016 mm (40 in)
Length	20.9 m (68' 8¾")
Height	4.02 m (13' 2½")
Locomotive weight	112 tonnes (250,000 lb)
Fuel capacity	4,546 litres (1,000 imp gal/1,201 US gal)
Prime mover	EMD 710G3B
Engine type	Two-stroke diesel
Aspiration	Turbocharged
Traction motors	Six axle-hung, nose-suspended D43 traction motors
Cylinders	V12
Multiple working	All IÉ and NIR GM-EMD locomotives
Top speed	164 km/h (102 mph)
Power output	3,200 hp (2,400 kW) gross; 2,970 hp (2,210 kW) traction
Train heating	HEP: Dayton-Phoenix altenator, model E7145, 438 kVA, 220/380VAC, 3-phase, 50 Hz
Locomotive brakes	Air & Vacuum, 27LAV Blended Brakes, not used
Career	Iarnród Éireann Northern Ireland Railways
Number in class	34
Number	201–234

The Iarnród Éireann (IE) 201 Class locomotives are the newest and most powerful diesel locomotives operating in Ireland, and were built between 1994 and 1995 by General Motors. They are model type JT42HCW, fitted with an EMD 12-710G3B engine of 3200 hp, weigh 112 tonnes and have a maximum speed of 164 km/h (102 mph). A freight version, the EMD Series 66, with the same engine is used on privately operated British and European mainline freight duties.

Technical details

• Main Generator Assembly: AR8PHEH/CA6
• Head End Alternator (HEP): Dayton-Phoenix, model E7145, 438 kVA, 220/380VAC, 3-phase, 50 Hz
• Standby HEP: 220 kV·A from AR8, available only when stationary
• Auxiliary Generator: 5A-8147[1], 18 kW
• Air Compressor/Exhauster: Gardner Denver, model WLPA9B
• Multiple Working : All IE & NIR GM locos
• Push Pull Working: Locos 206-209 & 215-234
• Curve Negotiation Capability:
  • Yard: 80 m (262 ft)
  • Running line: 115 m (377 ft)
  • Coupled to train: 141 m (463 ft)

Equipment new to IE locos

• Air Dryer
• Teloc 2200 Event Recorder[2]
• Electrically heated windscreens
• Active noise control in both cabs
• Enclosed body style, last seen on 1950s Metro-Vic A and C Classes
• Head End Power (HEP) [Not used on 201-205 and 211-214 only ever used for static MK3 tests on 210]
  • This system supplies AC power to the train for heating, battery charging, etc. and was intended to replace the existing Mk2 & Mk3 Generator Vans. In the event HEP is only used on the cross-border De Dietrich service. The later CAF MK4 trains include their own generators in the DVT.
• EM2000 digital traction computer
• Train (coach) door control
• D43 Traction Motors
• Super Series wheel creep control[3]
• Cab mounted xlectronic fuel gauges
• Fire suppression system, FM200 extinguisher

Variants

There are three versions within the Class 201:

• 201 to 205 & 210 to 214
  • Plain bearing traction motor support, fixed buffers, shackle coupling
• 215 to 234
  • Roller bearing traction motor support, retractable buffers, electronic fuel gauges, automatic or shackle coupling
• 206 to 209, 230 & 233
  • Roller bearing traction motor support, retractable buffers, electronic fuel gauges, automatic or shackle coupling, fitted with NIR train radio and TPWS/AWS for cross-border service

Regional allocations

Iarnród Éireann No.206 (Abhainn na Life) at Colbert Station, Limerick, 2006

No. 215 (An Abhainn Mhor) at Grand Canal Dock DART station

Enterprise

Numbers 206 to 209, 230 & 233 are dedicated for use on the Enterprise passenger service between Dublin and Belfast, and are painted in a special livery of ((Dark Grey (NCS 8502-Y), Light Grey (NCS 5502-Y), Dark Green (NCS 9005-G20Y), Purple (NCS 5040-R40B) & Bronze stripe (3M 180-229)).

Because of the shared nature of these services, 208 and 209 are owned by Northern Ireland Railways. This explains the different naming arrangements for these two locomotives. Enterprise services require electrical power to be supplied from the locomotive - head end power.

Intercity

InterCity operated, push-pull equipped members of the 201 class are being repainted in a new livery of Fern Green (NCS 4550-G), Grey (RAL 7000), Yellow (RAL 1021), Black (RAL 9005), Green (NCS 7020- B70G), Yellow Green (NCS 1070 G60Y) & Silver (761) to coincide with the deployment of new MK4 carriages.

List of locomotive names

The entire class is named after Irish rivers, with the IE locomotives carrying two nameplates, one in Irish and one in English, on each side of the locomotive. As 208 and 209 are owned by Northern Ireland Railways, they carry English language only nameplates.

Model

In 2001, Murphy Models commissioned LIMA to produce an '00' gauge model of these locomotives.[4]They were produced in IE (201, 216, 217, 219, 230) and Enterprise (206, 207, 208, 209) liveries, all in batches of 300 (the exception being 500 of #207).

Model Irish Railways produce a resin body shell kit that includes nameplates, numbering, brass grills and the standard yellow / black livery line transfers.

Marks Models also released a resin kit for these locomotives in 00 gauge around the year 2000.

The 201 class has also been released in virtual form as a player drivable locomotive in the Microsoft Train Simulator add-on, "Irish Enterprise North", by Making Tracks.[5]

External links

• Eiretrains - Irish Locomotives

• Irish Railway Technology and Information -reporting on all aspects of irish railways