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 More Powerful Locomotives
In 1958, because of steepening grades, the onset of heavier peat (with the
gradual removal of "strips"
Whilst lengthy discussions and deliberations were undertaken regarding the necessary development of a more powerful locomotive fleet, Bord na Móna purchased eighteen 0-4-0 Deutz KS28B locomotives (LM 178 to LM 197) in 1960. These were manufactured by Motorenfabrik Deutz, A.G., at Cologne, Germany, reputed to be the oldest manufacturers of internal combustion engines in the world.
The Deutz company claim to have built 23,000 locomotives before 1966, catering
for a world wide
Locomotives are generally identified by the number and arrangement of their wheels, the order in which wheels are listed being leading wheels, driving wheels, and trailing wheels. Therefore a 4-6-4 loco would have four leading wheels, six driving wheels, and 4 trailing wheels. When there are no leading and trailing wheels these positions in the number sequence are filled with an 0, which indicates that the Barclays, listed as 0-4-0, had four driving wheels, with no leading or trailing wheels.
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of peat, and thereby descent into the bog, the peat becomes more dense and
heavier) and the growing need for more rapid delivery to the generating
plants, Bord na Móna decided it was necessary to introduce higher powered
locomotives. As none were commercially available the company developed their
own prototype, which was manufactured by Ruston & Hornsby. This locomotive, LM
175 (Ruston Serial Number 420042) is still in service at Ferbane Power Station
yard (Boora Works). Before this Bord na Móna‘s Ruston locos had four wheels
that were mechanically chain driven, the LM 175 was not only heavier (weighing
6.8 tons), it had a more powerful engine and its wheels were linked and
propelled by connecting rods (It was therefore classified as 0-4-0).
market, with agencies in most countries. They are comparatively rare in
Britain (where only three locos exist at preservation sites. This makes Bord
na Móna‘s complement of these locos of interest to British and Irish railway
enthusiasts. The Deutz loco‘s most distinguishing feature is its 28 HP
aircooled engine. These locomotives, weighing only 3.4 tons, were mainly used
by Bord na Móna for light work such as the transportation of management and
maintenance personnel, and the haulage of service wagons.
