CIÉ 501 Class

The Córas Iompair Éireann 501 Class locomotives were built in 1955 by Walker Brothers of Wigan for use on the narrow gauge (Template:Track gauge) lines on the West Clare section of the CIÉ. They were small diesel mechanical locomotives, with a 0-4-0+0-4-0 wheel arrangement. Controlled from a central cab, the locomotives had two Gardner engines of Template:Convert, one under each end casing, driving through a fluid coupling and Wilson gear box the inner axle of the opposite bogie, through a spiral-bevel-reverse and reduction gear box. Unusually the locomotives were driven from a seat mounted sideways to the direction of travel giving a clear field of vision both ways by a mere turn of the head.

The locomotives were fitted with vacuum brakes, emergency braking coming from a "deadman's" pedal, one at the driving position and two others, one mounted on each side of the cab. When used on freight services their maximum speed was Template:Convert, but with an overdrive fitted, released by a key, this was raised to Template:Convert for passenger trains.

History

They were originally numbered C31-C33 in the West Clare steam locomotive series, but were subsequently renumbered into the diesel locomotive series as F501-F503. They were withdrawn in 1961 when the West Clare lines were closed and stored at Inchicore Works for seven years. The Isle of Man Railway made an offer for the locomotives which was rejected by CIÉ, who subsequently made less money by selling them for scrap in 1968.

Model

The Walker 501 Class has been made as a 00n3 scale 12mm gauge brass kit by Worsley Works Models

References

• Template:Strickland Locomotive Directory

External links

• http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk - official website