SLNCR Lough Class
History.
During the years of the Second World War the SL&NCR was able to make a profit with fuel restrictions curtailing road transport. The ending of the war saw the resumption of road competition, the worsening of the company's financial situation which was eventually to lead to its demise.
Following the end of WW2 many railways suffered a motive power crisis and to off - set their problems the SL&NCR looked around for suitable locomotives to take on loan but nothing suitable was available from either the GNR(I) or CIÉ. Manchester locomotive builders Beyer Peacock were approached with an order for a single 0-6-4T locomotive and despite the company's worsening financial situation a second locomotive was ordered the following year. Although these two locomotives were ready for delivery in Spring 1949 they were not delivered until 1951, being the subject of a hire - purchase agreement. They became, along with the 'Turf Burner' built by CIÉ, the last new steam locomotives to enter service with an Irish railway company.
The SL&NCR did not number its steam locomotives but named them. These were named Lough Melvin and Lough Erne.
At the auctions of the company's assets in 1958/59 the two "Lough" Class steam locomotives were acquired by the UTA, being designated "Class Z" and numbered 26 and 27. For a short while the locomotives were allocated to Adelaide shed in Belfast, however, No.27 was transferred to York Road where she stayed on shunting duties until 1969, when she was withdrawn. Regular work took them to the Belfast dock lines, eventually to replace the NCC Class Y.
| Name | Builders | Works No. | Date. | UTA No. | Withdrawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lough Melvin | Beyer Peacock, Gorton, Manchester | 7138(a) | 1949 | 26 | |
| Lough Erne | Beyer Peacock, Gorton, Manchester | 7242(b) | 1949 | 27 | 1969 |
(a) : Beyer Peacock works no's 7136/7/8 were originally allocated to three War Department "Garratt's". This order was cancelled, 7136 and 7137 were re-allocated to two extra "Garratt's" for the Great Western Railway of Brazil, added to a delayed pre-war order sub-contracted to Henschel.
(b) : The last tank locomotive to be built by Beyer Peacock & Co., order No.1427.
On May 28th 1960 No.26 escaped from its usual haunt and was used to haul a two - coach Irish Railway Record Society special train from Belfast (York Road) to Antrim, Lisburn and across the former Belfast Central Railway to Queen's Quay, the tour eventually terminating at Great Victoria Street. This was recorded as the first passenger working of an ex - SL&NCR locomotive in the ownership of the UTA.
Livery.
At this time an unlined black livery was used by the company. Brasswork was also painted black, however the borders and lettering of the locomotive nameplates were picked out in red. In the early days of the black livery, the company initials SL&NCR appeared on the tanks of the 0-6-4T locos. Coupling rods were painted red.
Preservation.
No. 27, was acquired from the UTA by the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland on withdrawal in 1969 and remained in service, shunting their yard at Whitehead until her boiler expired in 1972. "Lough Erne" is still at Whitehead awaiting extensive restoration.
