// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did GS&WR Class 341 say to its friend? "You're on the right track.

GSWR 341 Class
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Robert Coey Richard Maunsell Builder Inchicore Works Build date 1913 Total produced 1
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0 Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 0 in (910 mm) Driver dia. 6 ft 7 in (2,010 mm) Length 32 ft 1+3⁄4 in (9,798 mm) Loco weight 60.15 long tons (61.12 t) Water cap. 3,345 imp gal (15,210 L; 4,017 US gal) Boiler pressure 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa) 175 lbf/in2 (1.21 MPa) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 20 in × 26 in (508 mm × 660 mm) 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 17,910 lbf (79.67 kN) 17,680 lbf (78.64 kN)
Career Operators GS&WR GSR Class D1 (Inchicore) Number in class 1 Numbers 341 Locale Ireland Withdrawn 1928

The Great Southern and Western Railway (GS&WR) Class 341 consisted of a single 4-4-0 express passenger locomotive named Sir William Goulding introduced in 1913 for the Dublin—Cork route. Despite being an apparently capable design it was withdrawn in 1928.

Design

Design was begun by Robert Coey who retired through ill health and completed by Richard Maunsell who was later to design the UK Southern Railway Schools 4-4-0. Equipped with a large diameter boiler and Schmidt superheater. It was unique for the GS&WR and its successor the GSR in having inside Walschaerts valve gear. This design was at the limit achievable by a 4-4-0 within the axle weight restriction limits and it was weighed regularly to ensure compliance. The only change to the initial design was a later reduction in cylinder diameter

Service

Due to weight restrictions it served on the Dublin—Cork route only where from 1916 it later shared services with the new EA Watson designed 400 Class 4-6-0 against which engine 341 seems to have compared favourably.

Withdrawal

The locomotive was withdrawn in 1928 after just 15 years, three 400 class express locomotives were also retired shortly afterwards as surplus to requirements.

Model

There is a detailed O Gauge model of engine 341 in the Fry model railway collection.