CIÉ 181 Class

The Córas Iompair Éireann 181 Class locomotives were built in 1966 by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) and numbered B181 to B192.

Overview
These locomotives were virtually identical to the earlier 141 Class locomotives, but fitted with the more powerful 645 engine and thermostatically controlled engine cooling fan and inlet shutters. Delivery took place in 1966, with introduction into service happening a short time later.

They were fitted with an EMD 8-645E engine of 1100 hp, weighed 67 t, and had a maximum design speed of 143 km/h which was restricted to 120 km/h in service. Number 186 was later fitted with an EMD 8-567CR engine of 960 hp, as used in the 141 Class locomotives.

Withdraw and preservation
All of the 181 class have been withdrawn, the first being 191 in 1991 after a runaway incident at Clonsilla; it was later scrapped in 1998. The last was 190 in November 2009 and has been preserved by the Irish Traction Group based at the West Clare Railway. In their final days they were only used on permanent way trains or as pilots.

Accidents and incidents

 * On Tuesday 13 August 1974, locomotive B192 was hauling a passenger train when it was involved in a head-on collision with locomotive B176, which was also hauling a passenger train, at Rosslare Strand. Fifteen people were injured.

Model
Murphy Models commissioned Bachmann to produce an 00 gauge model of these locomotives. This model first was released in December 2007. It has been supplied in all four main liveries worn by the class.