1930s Donegal Rail Cars | Season 3 - Episode 47

👋 Hey friends! In this video, we are reporting from the Donegal Railway Heritage Museum in NW Ireland and featuring a unique Irish solution to an Irish problem when in in the 1930s the three systems that made up the railway network in the county had to phase out steam engines as they were uneconomical for passenger services.
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⬇️ Tell us about your last visit to Donegal Railway Heritage Museum Comment below ⬇️
The Donegal railway system incorporated The County Donegal Railway, Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway and Finn Valley Railway, with a total of 225 miles of track, they formed the largest narrow gauge railway system in north-west Europe.
Starting in the 1930s, economies of operation were necessitated for the preservation of the extensive rural railway network by the phasing out of passenger steam trains on branch lines and the introduction of 'rail buses' as an ingenious Irish solution to an Irish problem.
Although rail buses could adhere to the same timetables as steam engines, their development suffered from a significant design drawback-they lacked the comfort provided by road buses equipped with pneumatic tires.
After researching and experimenting, the Great Northern Railway (G.N.R.) found a straightforward engineering solution to the problem. They applied steel railway rims over pneumatic tires, which effectively improved the ride experience for passengers. The General Manager at the GNR Dundalk Works, Mr. George W. Howden and the Works Manager at the time, Mr. R.W. Merdith, patented this solution. This innovative design, later known as the 'Howden-Merdith Wheel,' was subsequently adopted by Córas Iompair Éireann (C.I.E.) for various regions across the country.
Since steering was unnecessary on the rails, the rail bus did not have swivelling front wheels. Converting a regular bus into a rail bus was a relatively inexpensive process, costing no more than £100. This was because the standard bus's track width closely matched the narrow gauge of the track, which was 5ft. 3 inches. As a result, minimal adjustments in dimensions were required.
The 'Howden-Merdith Wheel,' was undoubtedly used in 1936 by Walker Brothers and the Dundalk Works (Great Northern Railway) when they built rail car No. 15 for service on the Donegal Railway.
Coming into service in April 1936 No. 15 was the first articulated diesel railcar where the full-width drivers cab was separated from the railcar. Costing £2,275 and seating 41 passengers this railcar could also transport a weight of 12 tonnes on a towed covered cargo wagon.
According to the late Cathal Hannigan, who worked in the body shop in Stranorlar, No. 15 fitted with a 6L2 Gardner “had the worst engine”, despite many overhauls, none of the men liked to drive her. Despite this, No. 15 is credited with 866,000 miles, and survived in service until the line closed.
Rail Car No. 15 Specifications:
Commissioned: April 1936
Cost: £2.275
Engine: Gardner 6L2
Passengers: 41
Crew: 1
Freight capacity: 12 tons
Service miles: 886,000 (1,425,878 kms)
Service life: 23 years
The No. 15 passenger unit is now restored and on display at Donegal Railway Heritage Museum, The Old Station House, Tyrconnell St, Donegal, F94 EE00.
Following closure of the railway in 1959, No. 15 was withdrawn in 1960 and was sold at auction in 1961. After a period of dereliction the body of was acquired in 1995 by the Donegal Railway Heritage Museum, restored and moved to its present location at their museum in Donegal town. Plan your next visit to the museum this summer.
Our thanks to Niall McCaughan and the Donegal Railway Heritage Museum.
Do you have an Irish transport story past or present you would like us to feature? Email us here [e-mail]
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Check out our downloadable motor and scooter accessories print advertisements from the 1960s irelandmade.ie...
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Information sources:
Anthony Burges
Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE)
County Donegal Historical Society
Donegal Railway Heritage Museum
Fintown Railway
Heritagerailway.co.uk
Irish Narrow Gauge Railways
J Harcourt
John Piercy
Off The Beaten Track
Rogerfarnworth.com
Steamindex.com
WA Smith
#irelandmade #donegal #donegalrailwayheritagemuseum #railcar #gnr #greatnorthernrailway #railway
This video post is copyrighted© to Ireland Made® not to be copied or reproduced without permission.

[@IrelandMade]

The 1930s GNR rail cars were the perfect solution to the economic realities of expensive steam trains - an Irish solution to an Irish problem.

[@jetsons101]

Just getting ready to hit the hay, long day. But what did I find when I was getting ready to shutdown the laptop???? Why a new Ireland Made video..... Very few things are as good as vintage rail. Thanks to Ireland Made for posting. ZZzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@IrelandMade]

Nite nite Mike - dream of Donegal rail cars!

[@jetsons101]

@@IrelandMade Four things I would love to do if I ever make it to the UK: 1) See where the Titanic was built. 2) Hike Hadrian's Wall from coast to coast. 3) Hike the Thames from Trewsbury Mead to the North Sea. 4) To buy you and Mike Keane a coffee.

[@IrelandMade]

@@jetsons101 After your trip to England, we will take you up on the coffee when you come to Ireland.

[@jetsons101]

@@IrelandMade Sounds good to me. Killarney and the surrounding area, and the Causeway Coastal Route are two things that come to mind to visit, but it's Ireland so I'm sure there is much more to see.

[@IrelandMade]

@@jetsons101 we might just have the very thing for you. Check out out 9-day Vintage Transport Tour. We also have shorter versions of the tour available. I am very happy to have a Zoom chat to discuss the tour. Regards Kevin www.sesameunlimited.com/en/experience/9-day-irish-vintage-transport-tour-2023-dublin/ticket/9-day-irish-vintage-transport-tour-2023