G601 - copyright ITG C231 - copyright ITG
 
 

 

 

 

G611

Following withdrawal by CIE in September 1977 this locomotive, along with sister locomotives G613, G615, G616 and G617, was sold to Comhlucht Siuicre Éireann (Irish Sugar Company). G611 was then used for shunting at the sugar factory at Thurles. However, G611 was subsequently moved to Limerick Depot and “adopted” by CIE for shunting at the adjacent wagon works. This locomotive was fortunate in that it was stabled inside the shed for most of the time, and was kept in full working order by staff at the depot. However, in 1991, CIE decided to dispose of this locomotive and it was sold to the Irish Narrow Gauge Trust, then based in Cahir, Co. Tipperary. It was moved to Cahir on 28th March 1991 and stored on an isolated section of track in the station yard. 

In September 1994 the owners of G611 decided to sell the locomotive, and gave first refusal to the ITG. The locomotive was fully operational when it was sold to the Group. On 5th February 1995 G611 was moved by low-loader from Cahir to Carrick-On-Suir, where it was to remain until it was moved to Inchicore Works in early 1996 for display at the open weekend on 15th and 16th June 1996. Following a repaint for the “Inchicore 150” event, this locomotive was considered to be in too good a condition to be taken back to Carrick-On-Suir and leave outside the shed. It was then decided to loan the locomotive to the Downpatrick Steam Railway (now the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway), and it eventually arrived there in August 1996 to join sister locomotive G617. Locomotive G611 has been in regular use at Downpatrick ever since, operating both passenger and engineer’s trains on the line.

 

 

 

G611 during the period it was stored at Cahir.

G611 under restoration at Inchicore.

 
 
Date last updated: 29 May 2008