Editing CIÉ 201 Class

{{not to be confused with|IÉ 201 Class}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox locomotive
|name            = Córas Iompair Éireann C class<br>(later 201 Class)
|powertype       = Diesel–electric
|image           = 23.10.93 Carrick-on-Suir 231 (6033165179).jpg
|caption         = 
|builder         = [[Metropolitan-Vickers]], [[Dukinfield]] Works, [[Manchester]]
|builddate       = 1956–1957
|totalproduction = 34
|uicclass        = Bo′Bo′
|gauge           = {{RailGauge|1600mm|lk=on}}
|length          = {{convert|12.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}} over [[Buffer (rail transport)|buffers]]
|width           = {{convert|2.692|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|height          = {{convert|3.835|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|locoweight      = {{convert|61.5|t|abbr=on}}
|fuelcap         = {{convert|300|impgal|abbr=on}}
|primemover      = [[Crossley]] ESTVee8;<br>Re-engined '69-'80 with [[Electro-Motive Diesel|EMD]] [[EMD 645|645E]] by CIÉ at Inchicore Works, [[Dublin]]
|enginetype=Crossley [[V8 engine|V8]]<br>EMD 8-645E
| cylindercount=8
|tractionmotors  = [[Direct current|DC]] [[Metropolitan Vickers]] MV137CW, 4 o
|generator = DC
|transmission    = [[Diesel electric]]
|maxspeed        = {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}
|poweroutput     = ''Crossley:'' {{convert|410|kW|hp|abbr=on|lk=on}}<br>''EMD:'' - {{convert|820|kW|hp|abbr=on}}
|tractiveeffort  = {{convert|153|kN|lbf|abbr=on|lk=on}} (max) 
|trainbrakes     = [[vacuum brake]] and [[Railway air brake|air]]<ref name="Brakes" group="Note"/>
|operator        = [[Córas Iompair Éireann]]<br>[[Iarnród Éireann]]<br>[[Northern Ireland Railways|NIR]]
|operatorclass   = C; later 201
|fleetnumbers    = {{ubl|CIE: 201–234|NIR: 104–109}}
|withdrawndate   = {{ubl|CIE: 1973–1986|NIR: 1987–1995}}
|disposition      = Three preserved, remainder scrapped
}}
The [[Córas Iompair Éireann]] '''201 Class''' was a class of 34 diesel electric locomotives manufactured by [[Metropolitan-Vickers]] at their Dukinfield Works in [[Manchester]]. They were a smaller, lighter and less powerful version of the [[CIÉ 001 Class|001 Class]] and were originally intended for branch line passenger and freight (mixed traffic) duties. They were introduced in 1956 and, although their duties changed over the years, were in regular service on the Irish railway network until the mid-1980s. Six were sold to [[Northern Ireland Railways]] (NIR) in 1986.

==Service history==
[[File:Push-pull train Leixlip.jpg|thumbnail|left|Locomotive 202 propels a push–pull train at [[Leixlip Louisa Bridge railway station|Leixlip station]], April 1982.]]
Unfortunately, these locomotives suffered from two distinct problems: 
* During the late 1950s and early 1960s, following the publication of the [[Todd Andrews#CIE|Andrews Report]] (mimicking the widescale [[Beeching cuts]] in Britain), CIÉ undertook large-scale closures of branch lines, leaving the engines without a purpose.{{citation needed|reason=Neither this article or the referenced article specifically cites an 'Andrews Report'|date=September 2020}}
*The locomotives were of insufficient power for their duties and their [[Crossley]] engines suffered reliability problems.{{Sfnp|Boocock|2009|p=56}} The existing Metro-Vick traction motors and generators were recognised as robust and retained in the rebuild. {{Sfnp|Boocock|2009|p=56}}

'''Replacement engines''':
Because of the problems with the Crossley engines attempts were made to fit the locomotives with more suitable equipment. Between 1965 and 1980, [[Maybach MD650]] engines of {{convert|980|hp}} were fitted in Nos. 233 and 234.{{Sfnp|Boocock|2009|p=56}} From 1969, however, a permanent solution was found by fitting the entire class with [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] engines,{{Sfnp|Boocock|2009|p=56}} a similar process that was previously undergone by the [[CIÉ 001 Class|001 Class]]).{{Sfnp|Boocock|2009|p=56}} 
 
''' New Duties''':
From 1969 the class were given new duties, being partnered with former [[CIÉ 2600 Class|2600 class]] [[diesel multiple unit]]s converted to four-car [[push-pull train|push-pull]] carriage rakes to operate the suburban services around [[Dublin]]. In 1984 the Dublin suburban lines over which they worked were electrified and new [[electric multiple unit]]s known as the [[CIÉ 8100 Class|8100]]s operated the newly named [[Dublin Area Rapid Transit]] (DART) system.

The first member of the class to be withdrawn was No. B201, being bomb damaged in 1973.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2023/0801/1397666-cie-train-explosion/|title=RTÉ Archives {{!}} War and Conflict {{!}} CIÉ Train Explosion|publisher=[[Raidió Telifís Éireann]]|accessdate=2025-05-26}}</ref>{{Sfnp|Boocock|2009|p=56}} The remaining members of the class, except for the six sold to NIR, were withdrawn over the two years following the opening of the DART system having completed 30 years service for their operators.{{Sfnp|Boocock|2009|p=56}}

==Numbering==
When built, these locomotives were numbered C201-C234, and as locomotives were re-engined, they were renumbered B201-B234 to reflect their increased power. However, the prefix letter was later dropped.{{Sfnp|Boocock|2009|p=56}}

==Livery==
Over the years the class has carried six different liveries. When introduced they were painted an all-over silver livery which unfortunately dirtied quickly and was not a good advert for dieselisation. This was followed by all-over CIÉ green livery with a thin lighter green band on the lower panels, giving a uniform appearance to the train sets. In the next change black became the base colour with just a white relief around the top panel, which opened to a squared-off 'V' between the cab windows. Some locomotives received large yellow panel to the cab fronts to aid visibility. With the adaptation by CIÉ of its "Black and Tan" scheme in the mid-1960s, the locomotives received this livery with a white line at roof level to match the coaches. The last CIÉ livery was of Golden Brown with a very broad black band covering the upper panels at the level of, and as wide as, the cab windows.
Those locomotives sold to NIR carried their blue livery.

==NIR use==
[[File:Ballast train near Whitehead - geograph.org.uk - 1714237.jpg|thumb|Northern Ireland Railways No. 105 near Whitehead in 1993]]
After withdrawal from CIÉ, six locomotives were sold to [[Northern Ireland Railways]], which designated them '''104 Class'''. They entered traffic for NIR in 1986–1987, except 105. Originally, CIÉ 224 was intended to become 105, but it was subsequently rejected by NIR and replaced by 218, which only entered traffic in 1991. 224 was left stored with NIR until it was scrapped in January 1996.

Of those that entered service, some had very short lives working for their new owners. They were stored as soon as any problems arose (e.g. a seized engine or traction motor), and the whole class was formally withdrawn in 1993 (107/109) or 1995 (the others). The locomotives involved, their new numbers and their withdrawal are set out below:

{| class="wikitable"
!NIR number
!Ex-CIÉ number
!Stored
!Scrapped
|-
|104
|216
|September 1994
|August 1997
|-
|105
|218
|November 1993
|August 1997
|-
|106
|227
|March 1995
|Preserved (see below)
|-
|107
|228
|June 1987
|January 1996
|-
|108
|230
|December 1994
|August 1997
|-
|109
|234
|August 1987
|March 1993
|-
|}

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 21 October 1974, locomotive B202 was hauling an empty passenger train when it ran away driverless from [[Dublin Connolly railway station|Connolly station]] and collided with a passenger train at {{rws|Gormanston}}, [[County Meath]], A third passenger train, hauled by locomotive B219 was struck by the wrecked trains. Two people were killed and 29 were injured.<ref name=Gormanston>{{cite web |url=http://www.raiu.ie/download/pdf/accident_gormanstown.pdf |title=REPORT OF INQUIRY INTO THE COLLISION THAT OCCURRED AT GORMANSTON RAILWAY STATION ON 21ST OCTOBER, 1974. |publisher=Department of Transport and Power via Rail Accident Investigation Unit |location=Dublin |date=January 1975 |accessdate=16 May 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Train, Boyle station - geograph.org.uk - 2862724.jpg|thumb|In [[Boyle railway station|Boyle]] with an extra train.]]

==Preservation==
[[File:C231 At DCDR.JPG|thumb|right|C231 At DCDR]]
* Two 201 Class locomotives, numbers 226 and 231, have been preserved by the [[Irish Traction Group]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/locofleet.htm|title=ITG Owned Locomotives|accessdate=2009-01-15|year=2008|publisher=Irish Traction Group|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211003801/http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/locofleet.htm|archive-date=11 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> 226 was the first mainline diesel to be preserved in Ireland. C231 is currently based at the [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway]], painted in CIÉ Green livery, whilst 226 is undergoing restoration at [[Carrick-on-Suir]]. [http://akehoe.smugmug.com/IrishTractionGroup Irish Traction Group]
* A third example, NIR 106/CIÉ 227 was preserved privately and displayed at [[Cahirciveen]], [[County Kerry]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20060504014540/http://users.chariot.net.au/~nldoncas/nicspages/images/train%206.JPG ] [https://web.archive.org/web/20060427113917/http://users.chariot.net.au/~nldoncas/nicspages/the_irish_crossleys.htm The Irish Crossleys] and carries the number '''C202''', which was supposedly the number of the locomotive hauling the last train from Cahirciveen in 1960 but it was in fact both 227 and 201 which worked the last up and down trains. Irish Rail recovered the engine for reuse in its 141/181 class locomotives. This locomotive and its three remaining siblings were stored in an unprotected site on NIR. Metal theft at this stage rendered it and its sisters a write-off as far as ever running again was concerned. Whilst scrapping of its sisters was taking place this locomotive was further stripped of almost all internal equipment (compressor, exhauster, air tanks, cooler fan, etc) before being moved to Cahirsiveen in 1997. The locomotive was cosmetically restored and repainted in silver and renumbered C202. The almost empty engine room was floored with plywood. While in Cahirsiveen the body suffered extensive corrosion from 7 years of open air display near the sea and its windows were smashed again.[http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1443335&issue_id=12810 ]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}An arson attack on the locomotive as well as its "eye sore" appearance on the landscape meant that scrapping was becoming very likely. In around 2004, the locomotive was saved from scrapping by a member of the now defunct "A15r [sic] Group and moved from Caherciveen to a site used by a heritage railway at Bilberry, [[Waterford]] with the intention of being restored as part of a scheme to reopen the New Ross railway. However, during her time in Bilberry the locomotive was further vandalised. The plywood floor was ripped up and any remaining traction motor cable was cut out by metal thieves. The locomotive also suffered further deterioration due to being stored in the open with rainwater entering through broken windows and rotten roof panels. In 2010, the locomotive was relocated to a more secure site near [[Kilmacow]] village, and traveled the 10&nbsp;km journey to this premises in Kilmacow by road on a low loader. In 2023, 227 was bought by the [[West Clare Railway]] and moved to [[Moyasta]].

==Models==
* The C Class is available as a brass and white metal [[00 gauge]] kit from No Nonsense Kits, now acquired by Phoenix Paints.
* A resin version is available from Silver Fox Models.<ref name="SmokeyFox"/>
* A Rapid Prototyped N Scale body is available from Valve Design.<ref name="Nbody"/>

==Notes and references==
===Notes===
{{reflist|group="Note"|refs=
<ref name="Brakes" group="Note">The locomotives were originally [[vacuum brake]]d only, but were later retrofitted with [[Railway air brake|air brakes]]. Note the lack of air brake pipes between the buffers on http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/image/5620-cie-c227-bray-14-09-1957/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101710/http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?%2Fgallery%2Fimage%2F5620-cie-c227-bray-14-09-1957%2F |date=4 March 2016 }} compared to http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LUPcZ0dY8VU/maxresdefault.jpg</ref>
}}

===References===
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="SmokeyFox">{{cite web|url=http://www.silverfoxmodels.co.uk/ie/201class.htm|title=Silver Fox Models|id=Iarnród Éireann 201 Class (C Class) Bo-Bo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531092221/http://www.silverfoxmodels.co.uk/ie/201class.htm|archive-date=31 May 2009|df=dmy-all|access-date=13 January 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="Nbody">{{cite web|url=https://www.shapeways.com/shops/valvedesign|title=Valve Design|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318114444/https://www.shapeways.com/shops/valvedesign|archive-date=18 March 2019|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
}}

===Sources===
* {{cite book|last=Boocock|first=Colin|date=1 October 2009|title=Locomotive Compendium Ireland
     |isbn=9780711033603|publisher=Ian Allan|location=Hersham|edition=1st|oclc=423592044}}
*{{Strickland Locomotive Directory|page=165}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|CIÉ 201 Class}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081012121240/http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/Irish%20Locos/A%26Bindex.html Eiretrains - Irish Locomotives]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927013513/http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/loco_226.htm Irish Traction Group webpage for preserved 201 Class No.226]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927013557/http://www.irishtractiongroup.com/ITG_locos/loco_231.htm Irish Traction Group webpage for preserved 201 Class No.231]

{{Ireland Diesel Locomotives}}

[[Category:Bo-Bo locomotives]]
[[Category:Iarnród Éireann locomotives]]
[[Category:Metropolitan-Vickers locomotives]]
[[Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of Ireland]]
[[Category:5 ft 3 in gauge locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1956]]