Star was subsequently bought by the Dublin and Kingstown Railway (D&KR) in April 1835. Before the line opened D&KR directors had received advice from their consultants about the number of locomotives required to operate their line. As Rastrick specified four and Charles Blacker Vignoles recommended eight the directors seemed to have elected for a middle figure of six, though experience eventually seems to have left the D&KR settling on nine. The collision of two locomotives in March 1835 plus ongoing maintenance problems left the D&KR with a possible motive power shortage. In May 1835 Pollock, the representative of Star's owner Horlseys, would have seemed an attractive offer to increase the locomotive stock conveniently. The D&KR's Company clerk Bergin who was also an engineer was in England at the time and recommended the directors purchase of Star; in the event an offer for £700 was accepted.
