A15 - WING MIRRORS?

[Old Blarney]

GMK011 CIE 1961-04-xx Inchicore A15 TI148

Image taken from -David Dawson's Post. 

 

COPYRIGHT ERNIE's Railway Archive

I have not been able to copy this photograph in Ernie's Photographs, perhaps one of our  talented members can or Ernie himself? As one can see, this photograph of A15, with a goods train, is passing Inchicore Works.  

Locomotive A15.

The  point of interest to me, and I'm sure others - Has A15 been fitted with Wing Mirrors?

If, YES.  When and for how long did she carry these?

Is  this unique to A15?

If not, how many other locomotives, A,B,C  carried wing mirrors.

Loads of question!

Edited February 3 by Old Blarney
Grammar

[Mol_PMB]

Good spot! I would say yes to your main question. Here's a link to Ernie's pic on Flickr so others can zoom in more easily.

However, they are not visible here:

Or here:

TJD_CIE_A15_nr_Lucan_m1960s | [Photographer: Tom J Dowling] … | Flickr

 

[Old Blarney]

Thank you for your assistance and agreement re the mysterious - Wing Mirrors!

[Mol_PMB]

There seems to have been a few short-lived experiments on the A class around this time (1960 ish)

I've also seen a photo of one with a large deflector plate on the lower cabside just ahead of the tablet catcher.

A surprising number of them have the horn pointing sideways rather than forwards, and for a time it seems to have been the norm to have only one windscreen wiper fitted.

[Irishswissernie]

Enlargement attached, better late than never! April 1961 ca

Edited February 3 by Irishswissernie

[jhb171achill]

1 hour ago, Mol_PMB said:

There seems to have been a few short-lived experiments on the A class around this time (1960 ish)

I've also seen a photo of one with a large deflector plate on the lower cabside just ahead of the tablet catcher.

A surprising number of them have the horn pointing sideways rather than forwards, and for a time it seems to have been the norm to have only one windscreen wiper fitted.

I think originally they all had only 1 windscreen wiper -  a quite stupid economy!

 

[Westcorkrailway]

I’ve heard it was a lack or spares or trying to get drivers to ride on the same side each time 

[Old Blarney]

 

 Unusual Horns on A Class Locomotives.

I failed to notice the altered position of the Horn in this photograph, or any other photographs.  However, the unusual positioning of the warning device has now reminded me of a footplate journey between Waterford and Limerick Junction. The locomotive was an A Class, unfortunately, I cannot recall its number.  However, its horn was incomplete, as far as I'm aware.  Perhaps this was another CIÉ experiment!  The vertical section of the warning device was in it usual place, but it lacked the horizontal horn section. The result, when used, was that it sounded exactly like a Steam Locomotives horn.   The unusual, or perhaps unexpected sound emitting from the warning device turned a few heads that day. It was, for more than one reason an unusual, and pleasant journey. I am fortunate to have travelled on the footplate over the railways of Ireland .

 

[Mol_PMB]

When new, A15 had 2 wipers and the horn facing forwards. Again, thanks to Ernie:

Also of interest in the photo at Inchicore that started this thread is that it was still fitted with sandboxes in 1961.

[derek]

2 hours ago, Mol_PMB said:

When new, A15 had 2 wipers and the horn facing forwards. Again, thanks to Ernie:

Also of interest in the photo at Inchicore that started this thread is that it was still fitted with sandboxes in 1961.

Maybe the horn being sideways and the wiper missing were just old age/ neglect in later years

[GSR 800]

1 hour ago, derek said:

Maybe the horn being sideways and the wiper missing were just old age/ neglect in later years

the simplest fix when you have no spares and the wiper breaks down is to rob the other one!

 

[Mol_PMB]

1 hour ago, derek said:

Maybe the horn being sideways and the wiper missing were just old age/ neglect in later years

It’s not so much later though. The missing wipers and sideways horns are in 1961 when these locos were only a few years old and still front line motive power. 

[Northroader]

With a slanting cab front, when you’re going at speed, there’s quite a considerable updraught. With a wiper at the top of the screen, this is trying to force the blade further out at the limit of its wipe. It caused more damage than was necessary on BR units, and it looks as if  CIE had the same trouble. Putting the wiper at the bottom of the screen is a better position.

[Mayner]

15 hours ago, derek said:

Maybe the horn being sideways and the wiper missing were just old age/ neglect in later years

Politics and windscreen wipers.

Missing LH wiper possibly an economy (penny-pinching) measure under Todd Andrews Chairmanship of CIE during late 50s,  LH wipers missing in the majority of late 50s photos of A, B101 and C Class, but LH wipers re-appear in photos taken from early 60s, possibly following Andrew's resignation.

The Government expected Andrews to make CIE 'pay its way" in return for being given a free hand in the management of CIE and the railways with economy measures and major closures, but met his match when the Unions refused to agree to one-man operation of Dublin? bus services and resigned when the Government refused to support Andrew's taking a storng stance with the Unions. 

Whatever about its financial position CIE definitely improved the image and ultimately the reliability of CIE and the railways after Andrews departure with new corporate image and initially smarter. cleaner new livery and the introduction of reliable GM locos.

[derek]

22 hours ago, Mol_PMB said:

It’s not so much later though. The missing wipers and sideways horns are in 1961 when these locos were only a few years old and still front line motive power. 

Thanks @Mol_PMB. I wouldn't have a clue in fairness. Just surmising. Knew someone would put me straight

[Mol_PMB]

Some IRRS pics here of A60, which appears to have also had the wing mirrors as well as deflector plates behind the tablet catchers:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53449371141/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53511772714/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/54419670804/