A Brief History of the Irish based Makers
All | Queens | York Rd | Cork | Grand Canal | Ulster | Barrack St | Dundalk | Broadstone | Inchicore | Limerick | Grendon | Spence | BnM | DunEW | Harland
Introduction
Between the private locomotive builders and the works owned by the railway companies there were only about 750 locomotives produced in Ireland. The majority of the locos used in Ireland were supplied by makers from England or Scotland.
Further details can be read in J W Lowe book on "British Steam Locomotive Builders" copies are available from various book retail outlets and libraries.
Belfast - Great Victoria Street
The Ulster Railway was opened in 1839 from Belfast to Lisburn. Initially the gauge was 6'2" but converted to 5'3" in 1849. Later in 1876 this was to form part of the Great Northern Railway who opened a works in Dundalk.
Belfast - Queens Quay
Belfast and County Down had a works where only one loco was possibly built, the remainder of those supplied to the line came from contractors.
Belfast - York Road
In 1870 the first loco was commenced the last one being in 1942. This site continues to repair and service diesels for Translink the current name for the operator of Northern Ireland's railway. After Belfast and Northern Counties was taken over by the Midland to become Northern Counties ownership of the works has been with the English company and then the LMS, both supplying components to speed up the building process.
Cork
It is probable that the loco some sources indicate that was built at Cork wad a rebuild of an earlier one including quite a few components from this source.
Dublin - Broadstone
Midland Great Western's first loco from the works was built in 1879, many locos were built until the closure in 1933.
Dublin - Grand Canal Road
In 1839 the Dublin and Kingstown railway works were established. April 1841 saw the first loco built by a railway company and also the first in Ireland. By 1860 saw the railway changed from standard gauge (4'8½") to 5'3" merging into the Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford. 1907 saw the title changed to Dublin and South Eastern.
Dublin - Inchicore
Inchicore was established in 1846 and produced more locos than any other Irish works. This remains open today as the main servicing and repair facility in the republic for the fleet of diesel and electric vehicles.
Many locomotive superintendents who worked here such as A F Aspinall, H A Ivatt, O V S Bulleid and R E L Maunsell were probably better known for the work they carried out in England.
Dundalk - Barrack Street
Irish North Western Railway opened in 1862 and built a few locos the first in 1873. Later becoming part of the Great Northern the works closed in 1880.
Dundalk
The Dundalk works was established in 1882 on the site of Dublin and Belfast junction old works a further five years passed before the first loco was produced. At times outside contractors were involved in supplying boilers for locos so that the works could concentrate upon erecting the locos. Closure came in the 1950's.
Limerick
Six locos were built at Limerick though many of these included components from withdrawn older locos.
Thomas Grendon
Thomas Grendon was located in the Drogheda iron works which was established in 1835. 1844 saw the first locomotive produced. A large part of the engineering business was a contract with Guinness until 1885.
William Spence
William Spence ran the Cork Street foundry and engineering works in Dublin. All locomotives produced were supplied to the St James Gate brewery for Guinness. Also supplied were some unique vehicles that could have these narrow gauge locos placed into so that they could operate on the Irish gauge tracks.
Bord na Mona
This is the Irish turf board who rebuilt a few locos in the works and also built a few locos.
Dundalk Engineering Works
This company built a few diesel locomotives for the Irish turf board, many of these were assembled from components supplied by others.
Harland & Wolff
Harland & Wolff was formed in 1861 as a small shipyard on Queen's Island in Belfast. Some locomotive boilers were supplied by the works for use by railways. Later a small number of diesel locos were built.
Acknowledgements
This article was produced by Andrew Johnson, any feedback or contributions about the Irish engine making industry would be greatly appreciated.