South Australian Railways M class (first)

The South Australian Railways M Class (1st) Locomotives were built by Avonside Engine Company from 1868 to 1874. They were originally built for the Canterbury Provincial Railways in New Zealand. They were sent from New Zealand to South Australia in 1878 and were first in service on the South Australian Railways between 1880 and 1881.[1]

South Australian Railways M Class (1st)
South Australian Railways M Class (1st) No. 43
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Avonside Engine Company Serial number 740-741, 855, 964 & 1020 Build date 1868-1874 Total produced 5 Rebuilder Islington Railway Workshops Rebuild date 1887-1915 Number rebuilt 5
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-2 well tank 0-4-2 tank  • UIC B1 T Gauge 5'3" Broad Gauge Length 24 ft. ½ in. 23 ft. 3½ in. Axle load 8 tons 3 cwt 2 qtr 8 tons 6 cwt 3 qtr Loco weight 22 tons 10 cwt 2 qtr 22 tons 8 cwt 3 qtr Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 19 cwt 16 cwt 3 qtr Water cap 580 gallons Firebox:  • Firegrate area 8.4 square feet Boiler pressure 130 lbs p.s.i. Heating surface:  • Tubes 454.4 square feet  • Firebox 54 square feet Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 12½ in. x 16 in.
Performance figures Tractive effort 4,740 lbs
Career Operators South Australian Railways Class M Number in class 5 Numbers 43-47 Withdrawn 1913-1917 Scrapped 1922 Disposition all scrapped

History

The South Australian Railways purchased their new M class locomotives from the Canterbury Provincial Railways of New Zealand in 1878. The M class locomotives were a batch of five locomotives which were also transported with the E and I classes, destined for South Australia. On journey to South Australia on the ship "Hyderabad" which was carrying the order of locomotives, got wrecked off New Zealand. All the locomotives on board were salvaged and they completed their journey to South Australia. The batch of five locomotives on the ship "Hyderabad" were to create the S.A.R.'s first series of M class. There were two different types of this class and the difference can be seen in the specifications. The two earlier built locomotives which were numbered 44 & 46 were fitted out with well tanks instead of side tanks. The other M class locomotives numbered 43, 45 and 47 had side tanks. These locomotives eventually entered service on the S.A.R. between the years 1880 and 1881 and they entered service on the Port line and its branchlines. They also time to time worked on the private operated "Glanville to Largs Bay railway line". Their duties included shunting on the wharves and later on in their life they worked on trains to Henley Beach, Outer Harbour, Semaphore and on passenger/goods trains on the Northern railway line. Note: The "Glanville to Largs Bay Railway Line" was a privately built line by the Largs Bay Railway and Investment Company and they operated hired locomotives/rolling stock from the S.A.R.[2]

References

1. Drymalik, Chris. "Broad Gauge M-class 0-4-2 tank locomotives". Chris's Commonwealth Railways Information (ComRails). Retrieved 3 August 2019.
2. FLUCK, R. E.; SAMPSON, R.; BIRD, K. J. (1986). STEAM LOCOMOTIVES AND RAILCARS OF THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS. South Australia: Mile End Railway Museum (S.A.) Inc. p. 58. ISBN 0959 5073 37.