For the branch line between Gortatlea and Castleisland in Kerry County, the GSWR had two vehicles built in Inchicore in 1890, which can be described as precursors to the steam railcar. Since commercial traffic with regular passenger trains could hardly be carried out on the line, an extra light tank locomotive was combined with a passenger compartment. However, according to Locomotive Magazine, issue May 1903, the passenger compartments were not actually used for their intended purpose.

schematic drawing after the rebuild

Locomotive Magazine, November 1903

Later the locomotives were moved to the Fermoy-Mitchelstown line in Cork County, which used a very light rail profile, only 50 pounds per yard. While no heavier locomotives could be used there, the axle load of the two vehicles was low enough. Here they had to conquer gradients of 1 in 60. The passenger compartments were soon removed, allowing the locomotives to be used as conventional tank locomotives. They spent the last years of their service as shunting locomotives in the port of Cork.

Schematic drawing: original state

www.lbscr.org

Schematic drawing after the 1877 rebuild

Locomotive Magazine, May 1898

Schematic drawing after the rebuild to No. 481 “Inspector”

Locomotive Magazine, May 1898

The LB&SCR commissioned a small tank engine in 1869 to haul light passenger trains on the branch line between Brighton Central and Kemp Town. The locomotive was initially given the number 96 and the name “Kemp Town”. In 1874 it was transferred to Havant near Portsmouth and given the number 115 while she was named “Hayling Island”.

In its new location it soon underwent a makeover to plans by William Stroudley, incorporating a new chimney, larger steam dome and cab. During this time the running number changed twice, first to 359 and then to 499.

A major remodeling was also carried out under Stroudley in 1889. A passenger compartment was installed behind the driver's cab for inspection trips along the routes of the LB&SCR. To carry the additional weight, a trailing axle was attached at the same time, which, like the leading axle, was fixed in the frame. In this form, the locomotive received the number 481 and the name “Inspector”. Its service in this role lasted for at least a decade.