A Brief History of the Irish Traction Group

The Irish Traction Group (ITG) was formed on the 4^th June 1989 with the objective of preserving at least one example of each class of diesel locomotive to have operated on the Irish railway system. The ultimate aim of the Group is to restore its collection of locomotives to full operational condition. The ITG specifically caters for the modern traction enthusiast, providing up to date news of events and workings on the railway system via its quarterly journal "The Irish Mail".

The Group's main source of income is derived from voluntary donations and profits from its trading company - "ITG Railtours Ltd". This company operates special enthusiast railtours both in the Irish Republic and the United Kingdom featuring a variety of motive power and destinations.

In June 1992 the ITG reached agreement with CIE to rent the former goods store at Carrick-On-Suir Railway Station, Co. Tipperary, as an operating base. This abandoned building was renovated and converted into a small workshop in which some of the Group’s locomotives are currently being restored. Work undertaken on the building included the fitting of new roller shutter doors, repairs to the roof and windows, installation of a three-phase power supply and relaying of the track either side of the shed.

The first locomotive purchased by the ITG was 201 (C) class locomotive 226, which was handed over to the Group at a ceremony at Inchicore Works, Dublin, on 23^rd October 1992. This locomotive had the distinction of being the first main line diesel locomotive to be preserved in Ireland. This locomotive is presently undergoing extensive restoration at Carrick-On-Suir. Fellow 201 (C) class locomotive 231 was purchased shortly thereafter on 16^th November 1992. This locomotive was moved to the UK in June 1999 and restored to working order by RMS Locotec, returning to Ireland in August 2000. Locomotive 231 was originally stored at Inchicore Works, Dublin, but was moved to the West Clare Railway, Moyasta, Co. Clare, at the end of November 2009.

The Group's next acquisition was Sulzer-engined 101 (B) class locomotive B103, the sole remaining example of twelve locomotives built by BRCW at Smethwick, Birmingham, in 1956. The last examples of this type were withdrawn by CIE in 1977. Locomotive B103 was purchased by the ITG on 27^th April 1993, and is presently stored at Carrick-On-Suir awaiting restoration.

The Group is also the owner of two 001 (A) class locomotives, A3R and A39. Both locomotives were purchased from Iarnród Éireann in December 1995 in full working order. Locomotive A3R is presently in CIE black & tan livery, whilst locomotive A39 has been repainted into CIE black livery. Both these locomotives were originally based at Inchicore Works, Dublin, but locomotive A3R was moved to the West Clare Railway, Moyasta, Co. Clare, at the end of November 2009, whilst locomotive A39 was moved to the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway, Downpatrick, Co. Down, at the same time.

In early November 2009, the Group purchased 121 (B) class locomotive 124 and 181 (B) class locomotive 190 from Iarnród Éireann. Both locomotives are currently in full working order, and were moved down to the West Clare Railway, Moyasta, Co. Clare, at the end of November 2009. These two locomotives, along with locomotives A3R and C231, are to be put on display in a new museum that is due to be constructed at the West Clare Railway in 2010. It is hoped that a short running line will also be laid at the site to enable these locomotives to be operated on passenger services.

The ITG also owns four diesel shunting locomotives; these being Deutz (G) class locomotives G601, G611, G616 and G617. Locomotive G601 is stored at Carrick-On-Suir awaiting restoration. Whilst locomotive G616 is presently undergoing restoration in the Goods Shed at Carrick-On-Suir. Locomotives G611 and G617 are in full working order, and are currently on long term loan to the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway, Downpatrick, Co. Down.

Apart from the locomotives mentioned above, the ITG also owns Wickham Inspection Car 712. This vehicle is currently stored out of use at the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway.