G601

Locomotive G601 is the sole surviving representative of a class of three Deutz locomotives constructed in 1956 by Motorenfabrik Deutz at Köln, Germany. Locomotive G601 entered traffic with CIE on 1st June 1956, and was intended for shunting and branchline duties. It lasted in service until 22nd July 1972. The locomotive was officially withdrawn by CIE on 27th April 1978.

Locomotive G601 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 Móna plant at Littleton, near Thurles, for temporary storage on 25th July 1992.

On 4th September 1993 the locomotive was moved to a new home at the Cavan & Leitrim Railway, 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 4th February 1995 G601 was moved by low-loader from Dromod to Carrick-On-Suir, where it joined the group’s other Deutz locomotives, G611, G616 and G617. It remained here until it was moved back 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, the 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.

During July 2008 a wooden frame was constructed around the upper part of locomotive G601. A protective layer of steel cladding was then attached to the wooden frame, which now completely encases the cab and bonnet of the locomotive. This was done in order to help protect the locomotive’s bodywork from the elements and also from the threat of vandalism.

During July 2009 a replacement Deutz F8L614 engine was obtained via eBay for this locomotive, which will greatly assist in its eventual restoration. The spare engine was paid for by a number of regular volunteers and donated to the ITG. On 27th February 2010 this spare engine was started for the first time using a makeshift fuel supply in order to test it. Everything was found to be in order.