GNRI Class SG

The Great Northern Railway (Ireland) SG and SG2 classes was one of the last designs of Charles Clifford. They were primarily intended for goods work, but the increased wheel diameter enabled effective passenger duties, managing heavy excursion trains with ease and speed.

GNR Class SG
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Charles Gifford Builder Beyer, Peacock & Company, Nasmyth, Wilson & Company Serial number BP: 5633–5637, 5896–5900 NW: 1428–1432 Build date 1913, 1915, 1924–1925 Total produced SG: 5 SG2: 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0  • UIC C h2 Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Driver dia. 5 ft 1 in (1.549 m) Superheater Schmidt Cylinders Two, inside Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) Valve type 8-inch (203 mm) piston valves
Career Operators Great Northern Railway Ulster Transport Authority CIÉ Withdrawn 1959–1965 Disposition All scrapped

Beyer, Peacock & Company built the first two batches in 1913 and 1915 and the 1924-25 batch were built by Nasmyth, Wilson & Company.

Design

They were the first GNR designs to be fitted with Schmidt superheaters and 8-inch (203 mm) piston valves, the SG class having a re-designed motion with rocker arms as well as the first to have 5 ft 1 in (1.549 m) wheels instead of 4 ft 7 in (1.397 m).

Engines were originally built with flush riveted smokeboxes. After the first major overhaul, domed rivets were used. These locomotives originally ran with flared tenders, but at a later date 3,500 imperial gallons (16,000 L; 4,200 US gal) straight sided tenders were also used.

When first brought into service, the five SGs were originally numbered 137, 138, 37, 40 and 41. The last three were renumbered 47, 48, 49 and the whole series was finally renumbered 175, 176, 177, 178, 179.

Differences

The major difference was in the brake rods of which there were two inboard of the wheels. The earlier SO and 562 locomotives had four pull-rods, the outer ones being outside of the wheels.

The 1915 batch (Classified 52 and 502) had direct motion, without rocker arms, driving inclined piston valves, and Robinson superheater. The only external difference was that the shaft and reversing rod were a little higher which resulted in the rear of the left hand side sandbox rod being inclined upwards from the centre sandbox back to the firebox.

The Wakefield mechanical lubricator was mounted further back on the 502. These locomotives were also fitted with Ross pop safety valves as built. The 1913 batch had lever safety valves changed to Ross pop type after first major overhaul after 10 years.

CIÉ ownership

On the break-up of the GNR in 1958, Córas Iompair Éireann took over a number of these locomotives for a period of five years up to the end of steam on CIÉ. They were used particularly on the ex-Dublin and South Eastern Railway services to Wexford and Rosslare. CIÉ retained the GNR numbers, with suffix N except in the case of No.19, also ‘CIE’ was stencilled on the locomotive buffer beams. After withdrawal, some locomotives, including 15N, 179N, and 181N were kept in reserve by CIÉ, some until 1965.

Roster

Class	Manufacturer	Serial No.	Date	GNR No.	1958 Owner	1958 No.	Withdrawn	Notes
SG	Beyer, Peacock & Company	5633	1913	37	CIÉ	177N	1963	Renumbered 47 in 1913 and 177 later the same year
SG	Beyer, Peacock & Company	5634	1913	40	CIÉ	178N	1961	Renumbered 48 in 1913 and 178 later the same year
SG	Beyer, Peacock & Company	5635	1913	41	CIÉ	179N	1963	Renumbered 49 in 1913 and 179 later the same year
SG	Beyer, Peacock & Company	5636	1913	137	UTA	43	1965	Renumbered 175 in 1913
SG	Beyer, Peacock & Company	5637	1913	138	UTA	44	1965	Renumbered 176 in 1913
SG2	Beyer, Peacock & Company	5896	1915	180	CIÉ	180N	1961
SG2	Beyer, Peacock & Company	5897	1915	181	CIÉ	181N	1963
SG2	Beyer, Peacock & Company	5898	1915	182	UTA	41	1963
SG2	Beyer, Peacock & Company	5899	1915	183	UTA	42	1961
SG2	Beyer, Peacock & Company	5900	1915	184	CIÉ	184N	1963
SG2	Nasmyth, Wilson & Company	1428	1924	15	CIÉ	15N	1963
SG2	Nasmyth, Wilson & Company	1431	1924	18	UTA	38	1965
SG2	Nasmyth, Wilson & Company	1429	1925	16	UTA	39	1965
SG2	Nasmyth, Wilson & Company	1430	1925	17	UTA	40	1961
SG2	Nasmyth, Wilson & Company	1432	1925	19	CIÉ	—	1959

Model

The SG Class is currently available as a 00 gauge etched-brass kit from Studio Scale Models. It includes transfers, brass etches, most nameplates and cast white metal parts.

References

• Rowledge, J. W. P. (1993). Irish Steam Locomotive Register. Stockport, Merseyside: Irish Traction Group. ISBN 0-947773-33-9.

Further reading

• Johnston, Norman (1999). Locomotives of the GNRI. Newtownards: Colourpoint Books. ISBN 1-898392-48-X. OCLC 43340833. OL 12248170M.