GNRI AEC Class

After 1945, both CIÉ and the GNR(I) found themselves in a poor financial position as a result of the deprivations of World War II and increased competition from road traffic.^[1] They looked to diesel power as a way to streamline costs and bring them back into profitability. Along with diesel locomotives, railcars offered a cheaper and more flexible means of traction than steam-hauled coaches. As a result in June 1950 the GNR(I) introduced the first of 20 diesel-mechanical railcars (numbers 600–619) ordered from AEC Ltd. of Southall. CIÉ followed that September ordering 60 (numbers 2600-2659) almost identical versions as part of its dieselisation programme. These were delivered and put in service between 1951 and 1954.

Design

These cars, based on a 1930s AEC/Great Western Railway design, were powered by two AEC underfloor engines of 125 hp, each one driving the inner axle of one bogie through a five-speed, pre-selective epicyclic gearbox. They cost £18,500 each and were capable of 70 miles per hour (110 km/h). They also had improved acceleration over steam, with 15–25 minutes reduction on the Dublin-Waterford running time.^[1]

The bodywork was built by Park Royal Vehicles, which like AEC was part of the ACV Group. The design incorporated a full width cab at the front and a guard's and luggage compartment at the rear, as well as a steam-generating unit. Passenger accommodation was in two saloons, a 12-seater first-class saloon, located immediately behind the driving cab, giving passengers a clear view to the line ahead, and 32 seater third-class saloon.

The power cars could operate with either one or two unpowered intermediate coaches. These coaches were built by the GNR(I) at its Dundalk Works.

The GNR(I) railcars were painted in cream & dark blue^[2] (and the CIÉ ones in dark green with pale green lining at the waist.^[3]

Service

Although limited to four coaches, the GNR(I) ones were put in service on the Dublin – Belfast Enterprise service. As a result these units had the distinction of being the first successful main line diesel railcars in either Ireland or Britain. The CIÉ versions were put on mainline duty and on Cork and suburban lines, as well as the Waterford and Tramore line (2657–59). They were also introduced on the West Cork network to replace the existing steam hauled services.

Some of the CIÉ AECs were converted to push-pull driving car in 1973–74 for use on Dublin suburban services, propelled by rebuilt CIE 201 Class diesel locomotives. They became redundant with the introduction of the electrification of the service by the introduction of the Dublin Area Rapid Transit and so were phased out in 1987.

Preservation

The sole example of the 60 CIÉ cars preserved is No. 2624 (renumbered as Push-Pull/DVT 6111), based at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway since 7 February 2015.^{[4] [5] [6]}

Model

An 00 gauge model of a Park Royal AEC railcar is available as an etched-brass kit from Worsley Works. The kit incorporates sides, ends, floor and sides skirts only. No roof or castings are included and additional work will be required to produce the rounded corners at the driving ends.^[7]

Notes

Sources and further reading

• Baker, Michael H.C (1972). Irish Railways since 1916. London: Ian Allan. SBN 7110-0282-7. 
• Ferris, Tom (1995). Irish Railways in Colour. A Second Glance 1947–1970. Leicester: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-019-2. 
• Flanagan, Colm (2003). Diesel Dawn. Newtownards: Colourpoint Books. ISBN 1-904242-08-1.