ELECTRO-MOTIVE DIVISION GL8 locomotives were the first all American-built diesel motive power to be delivered to Europe: Ireland to be precise. Fifteen of the switcher type locomotive were accepted by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) in 1961, becoming CIÉ Class 121. All 15 locomotives were built at the La Grange plant in Illinois and were just part of a larger production run which totalled 149 lightweight locomotives constructed by EMD for export between 1960 and 1965. Of those, 96 locomotives were built as Bo-Bo four axle locomotives with special bogies designed for use on railways with a light axle load limit.
The locomotives were the first American-built locomotives to be used by CIÉ and were different in concept to British locomotives hitherto ordered. A single cab design with low long bonnet looked similar to switching locomotives built for the US market. The cab soon drew comment with regard to limited visibility when running bonnet first, and the layout of the controls was quite different, being of a stand type rather than a control desk. Class 121s were put to work on passenger services, bringing an end to remaining steam operations in Ireland. Despite the need to turn them at the end of a journey, CIÉ was delighted with the acquisition, with reliability being good from the start, leading the way for further purchases from EMD.
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