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GSR numbered the ex-Midland locos in the same series as the ex-GSWR locos. One of the ex-Midland locos 141 Limerick withdrawn in 1929 was allocated but did not carry GSR No 233. The other loco 142 Athenry was re-numbered 234 in 1928 was rebuilt with a 'larger round-topped saturated boiler in 1940 or 41 and was withdrawn in 1950. The loco appears with round topped boiler with riveted smokebox and 'built up" Inchacore chimney similar to the other ex WLWR O-6-0s in a 1938 W A Camwell photo of at Colloney. Although grouped in the same GSWR number series as the other ex-WLWR 0-6-0s, 234 was considered to be a different 'Class J17 to the other ex-WLWR 0-6-0s Class J22 and J25 and remained on the Midland a long term resident of Mullingar used o goods trains to Cavan and Longford before being moved to Sligo where it was used for shunting. (GSR Locos Clements and Mc Mahon). The "Midland engines" had 18'X24" cylinders. The "Southern engines" were classified in two classes J25  222-239 had 17"X24" cylinders and J22 235-236 had 17½x24" cylinders, though all three classes looked visually the same in GSWR/GSR condition with round-topped boiler, riveted smokebox and Inchacore chimney. Its said that the GSWR/GSR standardised on two types of round topped boiler for its ex WLWR locos, one type to the tender locos (4-4-0, 2-4-0 and 0-6-0) and another type to its tank locos (4-4-2T, 2-4-2T and 0-4-4T) All the Ex-WLWR 0-6-0 were placed in the same M/L load class regardless of cylinder diameter and were allowed 5-6 wagons less through each section compared with the ex GSWR and Midland "Standard Goods" classes which were rated Load Class J (Decade of Steam IRRS 1972? Donaldson, O'Neill and McDonnell) In brief the three ex-WLWR 0-6-0s  ended up looking visually the same doing similar work but divided into 3 different GSR classes all gone by 1951. Nice contrast to a J15 on a layout

A bit of insomnia at the min so I may as well be creative…..

All in good time folks!

More West Clare and some nice WL&WR here:- Limerick City Museum A bit of a trawl to get through but it's worth it. R EDIT. The link doesn't go all the way. Choose "advanced search" and put "railway" in the keyword box. Sorry, it's late (or early?) and the brain can't work it out.........

Just occurs to me..... obviously this thing is grey, as everything was then (black is always wrong for these as none lasted to the 1950s); but somewhere in the cobweb of my mind is a notion - possibly driven by a photo showing faded lined transfer lettering - suggesting that the dark coach maroon might have appeared on one anyway....very highly unlikely, but I wonder did anyone else have any thoughts on this....