Waterford, Limerick, & Western 0-6-0 Locomotives in Ireland

Class 56/237/J25 (Locobase 20252)

Data from "Locomotives for the Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway", Engineer, Volume 84 (13 August 1897), p 154.

Locomotive superintendent John G Robinson adopted the cylinders, boiler, and firebox used in the 55 class's passenger Eight-wheelers (Locobase 20251) for these dual-purpose goods locomotives. Their quite grand names were Thunderer, Cyclops, and Goliath.

See Locobase 20251 for all of the common components shared by this and the passenger bogie engines. The most obvious differences were the the 10" (254 mm) smaller drivers as well as a longer fixed wheelbase and greater adhesion with the addition of a third coupled axle. Robinson provided the lead axle with spring gear that allowed transverse movement of up to 3/4" (19 mm).

In January 1901, the Great Southern & Western acquired both the WL&W and the Waterford & Central Ireland.

Class Shannon/222/J25 (Locobase 2687)

Data from "Goods Locomotive, Waterford, Limerick & Western Railway," The Locomotive Magazine, Volume V (November 1900), p. 180; and Railway and Locomotive engineering, Volume 15, No 9 (September 1902), p. 382. . Works number was 3908 in 1899.

Designed by John George Robinson, later of the Great Central. just before the WL&W was absorbed by the Great Southern & Western. Only the 2 remained with the WL&W. Engines numbered 4 and 11 were sold to the Midland Great Western before their delivery to the Limerick.

The 2 was a handsome bulldog of an engine with Belpaire boiler and well-spaced drivers with individual splashers. R&LE succinctly praised the Leeds-built design" "They are magnificent machines and can easily handle within reasonable limits as many wagons as can be strung behind."