GNRI AEC Class
Encyclopedia
After 1945, both CIE and the GNR(I)
found themselves in a poor financial position as a result of the deprivations of World War II and increased competition from road traffic. They looked to diesel power as a way to streamline costs and bring them back into profitability. As well as diesel powered loco, railcars offered a cheaper and more flexible means of transportation than steam or loco hauled coaches. As a result in June 1950 the GNR(I) introduced the first of 20 diesel-mechanical railcars (No’s 600-619) ordered from AEC Ltd. of Southall
. CIE followed that September ordering 60 (no’s 2600-2659) almost identical versions as part of its dieselisation programme. These were delivered and put in service between 1951 and 1954.
design, were powered by two AEC underfloor engines of 125 hp, each one driving the inner axle of one bogie through a five-speed, pre-selective epicyclic gearbox. They cost £18,500 each and were capable of 70 mph. They also had improved acceleration over steam, with 15–25 minutes reduction on the Dublin-Waterford running time.
The bodywork was built by Park Royal
, which like AEC was a member of the ACV Group. The design incorporated a full width cab at the front and a guard's and luggage compartment at the rear, as well as a steam-generating unit. Passenger accommodation was in two saloons, a 12 seater first-class saloon, located immediately behind the driving cab, giving passengers a clear view to the line ahead, and 32 seater third-class saloon.
The power cars could operate with either one or two unpowered intermediate coaches. These coaches were built by the GNR(I) at its Dundalk Works.
The GNR(I) railcars were painted in cream & dark blue (and the CIE ones in dark green with pale green lining at the waist.
Some of the CIE AECs were converted to push-pull driving car (DVT) in 1973/4 for use on the Dublin suburban service in conjunction with rebuilt C-Class locos. These became redundant with the introduction of the electrification of the service by the introduction of the DART and so were gradually withdrawn in the late 80’s.
6111) currently stored in Inchicore.
http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=4391,
http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/I/Inchicore/slides/AEC%20railcar%206111%20at%20Inchicore_2.html,
http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/I/Inchicore/slides/Cab%20of%206111%20at%20Inchicore_2.html.
http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk/4mm/4mm_Irish_Standard_Gauge.htm
Great Northern Railway (Ireland)
The Great Northern Railway was an Irish gauge railway company in Ireland.The Great Northern was formed in 1876 by a merger of the Irish North Western Railway , Northern Railway of Ireland, and Ulster Railway. The Ulster Railway was the GNRI's oldest constituent, having opened between Belfast and...
found themselves in a poor financial position as a result of the deprivations of World War II and increased competition from road traffic. They looked to diesel power as a way to streamline costs and bring them back into profitability. As well as diesel powered loco, railcars offered a cheaper and more flexible means of transportation than steam or loco hauled coaches. As a result in June 1950 the GNR(I) introduced the first of 20 diesel-mechanical railcars (No’s 600-619) ordered from AEC Ltd. of Southall
Southall
Southall is a large suburban district of west London, England, and part of the London Borough of Ealing. It is situated west of Charing Cross. Neighbouring places include Yeading, Hayes, Hanwell, Heston, Hounslow, Greenford and Northolt...
. CIE followed that September ordering 60 (no’s 2600-2659) almost identical versions as part of its dieselisation programme. These were delivered and put in service between 1951 and 1954.
Design
These cars, based on a 1930s AEC/Great Western RailwayGreat Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
design, were powered by two AEC underfloor engines of 125 hp, each one driving the inner axle of one bogie through a five-speed, pre-selective epicyclic gearbox. They cost £18,500 each and were capable of 70 mph. They also had improved acceleration over steam, with 15–25 minutes reduction on the Dublin-Waterford running time.
The bodywork was built by Park Royal
Park Royal Vehicles
Dating its origins back to 1889, Park Royal Vehicles along with its Leeds-based subsidiary Charles H. Roe was one of Britain's leading coachbuilders and bus manufacturers based at Park Royal, west London, UK.-Associated Commercial Vehicles:...
, which like AEC was a member of the ACV Group. The design incorporated a full width cab at the front and a guard's and luggage compartment at the rear, as well as a steam-generating unit. Passenger accommodation was in two saloons, a 12 seater first-class saloon, located immediately behind the driving cab, giving passengers a clear view to the line ahead, and 32 seater third-class saloon.
The power cars could operate with either one or two unpowered intermediate coaches. These coaches were built by the GNR(I) at its Dundalk Works.
The GNR(I) railcars were painted in cream & dark blue (and the CIE ones in dark green with pale green lining at the waist.
Service
Although limited to four coaches, the GNR(I) ones were put in service on the Dublin - Belfast 'Enterprise' service. As a result these units had the distinction of being the first successful main line diesel railcars in either Ireland or Britain. The CIE versions were put on mainline duty and on Cork and Suburban lines, as well as the Waterford to Tramore line (2657–59). They were also introduced on the West Cork network to replace the existing steam hauled services.Some of the CIE AECs were converted to push-pull driving car (DVT) in 1973/4 for use on the Dublin suburban service in conjunction with rebuilt C-Class locos. These became redundant with the introduction of the electrification of the service by the introduction of the DART and so were gradually withdrawn in the late 80’s.
Preservation
The sole example of the 60 CIE cars preserved is No. 2624 (renumbered as Push-Pull/DVTDriving Van Trailer
A Driving Van Trailer is a purpose-built railway vehicle that allows the driver to operate a locomotive at the opposite end of a train. Trains operating with a DVT therefore do not require the locomotive to be moved around to the other end of the train at terminal stations...
6111) currently stored in Inchicore.
http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=4391,
http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/I/Inchicore/slides/AEC%20railcar%206111%20at%20Inchicore_2.html,
http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/I/Inchicore/slides/Cab%20of%206111%20at%20Inchicore_2.html.
Model
The Park Royal AEC Railcar is available as a 00 gauge etched-brass kit from Worsely Works. The kit incorporates sides, ends, floor and sides skirts only. No roof or castings are included and additional work will be required to produce the rounded corners at the driving endshttp://www.worsleyworks.co.uk/4mm/4mm_Irish_Standard_Gauge.htm