The engines are attributed to the locomotive superintendent William Meikle and the first three, Nos. 24 (Glenamore), 25 (Gleanart) and No. 26 were supplied in 1864. A further two, No. 32 (Glenmalure) and No. 33 (Glendalough) with detail differences followed in 1873.[Note 2][1]
At this time the DW&WR was extending south, from Enniscorthy in 1963 to Wexford by 1874. These engines took over the main line express passenger trains to Wicklow and Wexford from earlier 2-4-0 types.[2] They continued to work main line expresses until replaced by more powerful 4-4-0s in 1895.[2]
No. 25 was Irish Civil War loss. All were life expired by 1925 and withdrawn immediately on the amalgamation to Great Southern Railways apart from No. 24 which lasted until 1928 becoming GSR No. 422 and the sole member of class 422 / G7.[1]
^Ahrons records 15" x 22" cylinders and records driving wheels of 5' 3" rebuilt to 15" x 24" and 5' 6" in 1886. Both Ahrons and Clements/McMahon also note differences in the later engines.
^The initial date of 1964 preceded John Wakefield's appointment although some sources attribute the locomotives to him
^ abcdClements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. pp. 129–133, 157–158. ISBN9781906578268.
^ abAhrons, E. L. (1954). L. L. Asher (ed.). Locomotive and train working in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Vol. six. W Heffer & Sons Ltd. p. 44.
