The D class were originally built as 2-4-0s between 1873 and 1887. The first batch of 12 were built by Neilson & Company of Glasgow in 1873 and a further batch of 5 by Dübs & Company of Glasgow in 1876. The class took on all but the heaviest passenger duties becoming the standard passenger locomotive of their era. They were joined by a batch of six built by Beyer, Peacock & Company, Manchester in 1880–1881 and four were built by Kitson & Company of Leeds in 1884. MGWR's own Broadstone Works built twelve between 1883 and 1887.[1] Although Broadstone Works has been extended 1877[1] the reason that ten were subcontracted externally was due to Broadstone working to capacity at the time.[citation needed]
The first batches from Neilsons and Dübs were withdrawn 1893–1898 and replaced by the more powerful MGWR Class K2-4-0, which cascaded the remaining Class D's to secondary duties.[1]
The batch of six Beyer-Peacock locomotives were selected for a rebuild to a 4-4-0 bogie design in 1900/01, the first use of such a configuration on the MGWR. The rebuilt locomotives were found wanting for their intended use on the Sligo line west of Mullingar but nevertheless paved the way for the MGWR Class A and Class C 4-4-0s whilst doing useful work in the County Mayo and Achill areas.
The remaining Kitson and Broadstone built members of the class were withdrawn between 1911 and 1922, being cascaded out by more powerful 4-4-0 passenger locomotives being introduced.[1]
References
1 2 3 4 5 6 Shepherd, Ernie (1994). The Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland - An illustrated History. Midland Publishing. pp.85, 88, 123, 128–131. ISBN1-85780-008-7.
