CIÉ
What was the operator of TDLR 5 between Jun 1947 and Oct 1948?
TDLR 5 Tralee and Dingle Light Railway 5 is a locomotive manufactured by the Hunslet Engine Company in 1892 for the Tralee and Dingle Light Railway . It is difficult to understand why the Tralee and Dingle acquired this particular locomotive . Perhaps they were looking for a locomotive more suited to passenger work , the pony truck should give a better ride for the crews over lightly laid track , perhaps the extra truck was needed to keep the axle-weight down as No . 5 was some 9 tons heavier than the other , earlier Hunslets or , as it was fitted for oil-burning from new it could be that Hunslets , in looking for a narrow gauge railway on which to demonstrate their product , gave a good deal on the price , and railways were always looking for a good deal to help their finances . Regardless of which No . 5 arrived in 1892 and on the 1925 amalgamation became the sole representative of GSR Class 5T or Class PN2 . History . Tralee and Dingle locomotive No . 5 was delivered from its builders , The Hunslet Engine Company , of Leeds as their works number 555 in 1892 , ready fitted for oil-burning . It is believed that this was a prototype and Hunslet were looking for a railway to demonstrate its product , one of the first for narrow gauge . The T&D also purchased two oil-burning units for fitting to its other locomotives but they were never used . No.5 was converted to burn coal after only a short career as an oil-burner . Like the earlier Hunslet products No . 5 was delivered ready for “tramway” operation , fitted with “skirts” to cover the motion , a boiler mounted bell and headlights . As with the other locomotives the “skirts” had a short life and were removed to facilitate easy access to the motion oiling points etc . A new boiler was fitted in 1906 and , being a favourite of the engine crews , it saw many miles under its belt before being stopped in 1948 and taken to Inchicore Works . It was outshopped in 1949 and , with no work on its home line , sent to the Cavan and Leitrim Railway where it served until final withdrawal from service in 1959 . It was always said that this locomotive covered the most miles of all the T&D fleet it was so well liked by the crews , however this was put beyond doubt when it crossed the Atlantic in 1959 to return in 1988 to run again on its home metals . Livery . Tralee and Dingle locomotive livery was a dark green lined out red between two cream lines . Buffer beams were red . Following the 1925 amalgamation the livery followed that of the GSR in that locomotives were painted plain grey with red buffer beams . It carried this livery , in common with other TDLR locos , on into CIÉ days , retaining it ( though in filthy condition! ) to the end . Preservation . Locomotive No.5 was withdrawn from service in 1959 and bought by American millionaire F . Nelson Blount and was sent to the Steamtown Museum in Bellows Falls , Vermont , where it was cosmetically restored to TDLR condition and placed on static display . In 1988 , like the prodigal son ( or as locomotives are considered female , daughter ) , No . 5 returned to Tralee where , after 5 years , it was restored to working order for duties on the 1½ miles reopened section of the TDLR between Tralee and Blennerville . The locomotive is out of service after failing a boiler certificate and the whole project has ground to a halt as a result . A decision on her future depends on funding . She now lies dismantled in her home shed . External links . - Tralee & Dingle Light Railway news