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 typeSteam
BuilderAvonside Engine Company
Serial number740-741, 855, 964 & 1020
Build date1868-1874
Total produced5
RebuilderIslington Railway Workshops
Rebuild date1887-1915
Number rebuilt5
Specifications
Configuration:
  Whyte0-4-2 well tank
0-4-2 tank
  UICB1 T
Gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Length24 ft 12 in (7.33 m)
23 ft 3 12 in (7.10 m)
Axle load8 long tons 3 cwt 2 qr (18,310 lb or 8.31 t)
8 long tons 6 cwt 3 qr (18,680 lb or 8.47 t)
Loco weight22 long tons 10 cwt 2 qr (50,460 lb or 22.89 t)
22 long tons 8 cwt 3 qr (50,260 lb or 22.8 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity0 long tons 19 cwt (2,100 lb or 1 t)
0 long tons 16 cwt 3 qr (1,880 lb or 0.85 t)
Water cap580 imp gal
(697 US gal; 2,637 L)
Firebox:
  Firegrate area
8.4 sq ft (0.78 m2)
Boiler pressure130 psi (900 kPa)
Heating surface:
  Tubes
454.4 sq ft (42.22 m2)
  Firebox54 sq ft (5.0 m2)
Cylinders2
Cylinder size12 12 in × 16 in
(318 mm × 406 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort4,740 lbf (21.1 kN)
Career
OperatorsSouth Australian Railways
ClassM
Number in class5
Numbers43-47
Withdrawn1913-1917
Scrapped1922
Dispositionall 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.
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