After having been taken out of traffic in July 1972, this locomotive was eventually withdrawn by CIE in April 1978. This locomotive then languished at the back of Inchicore Works in a totally derelict state until it was preserved by the Irish Narrow Gauge Trust in mid-1992. It was then moved to the Bord Na Mona plant at Littleton, near Thurles, for temporary storage on 25^th July 1992. 

On 4^th September 1993 the locomotive was moved to a new home at the Cavan & Leitrim Railway at Dromod, Co. Leitrim. The locomotive was then stored on an isolated section of track in the old narrow gauge bay platform at the station.

In September 1994 the owners of G601 decided to sell the locomotive, and gave first refusal to the ITG. On 4^th February 1995 G601 was moved by low-loader from Dromod to Carrick-On-Suir, where it was to remain until it was moved back to Inchicore Works in early 1996 for display at the open weekend on 15^th and 16^th June 1996. Following a repaint for the “Inchicore 150” event, this locomotive was eventually taken back to Carrick-On-Suir, arriving back there in August 1996. G601 has remained outside the shed at Carrick-On-Suir ever since, awaiting its turn for restoration.

G601 During the period it was stored in Inchicore Works in 1989.

Photo: Derek Thompson.

G601 under restoration at Inchicore.

G601 at Carrick on Suir. Aiden Kehoe