WAGR M class

The WAGR M class was a class of 2-6-0+0-6-2 Garratt-type articulated steam locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between 1912 and 1955. A total of 13 of them were built by Beyer, Peacock & Co, Manchester in two batches.[1]

Not to be confused with WAGR M class (1875) or WAGR M class (diesel).
WAGR M/Ms class
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerBeyer, Peacock & Co
BuilderBeyer, Peacock & Co
Serial number5477-5482, 5665-5671
Build date1911, 1913
Total produced13
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-6-0+0-6-2 (Garratt)
 • UIC
  • M: (1′C)(C1′) n4t
  • Ms: (1′C)(C1′) h4t
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Loco weightM: 68 long tons 16 cwt (154,100 lb or 69.9 t)
Ms: 69 long tons 16 cwt (156,400 lb or 70.9 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity4 long tons (4.1 t)
Water cap2,000 imp gal (9,100 l; 2,400 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		22.6 sq ft (2.10 m2)
Boiler pressure
  • M: 175 psi (1.21 MPa)
  • Ms: 160 psi (1.10 MPa)
Heating surface
  • M: 1,340 sq ft (124 m2)
  • Ms: 1,067 sq ft (99.1 m2)
 • Tubes
  • M: 1,233 sq ft (114.5 m2)
  • Ms: 960 sq ft (89 m2)
 • Firebox107 sq ft (9.9 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • Type
 • Heating area
  • M: N/A
  • Ms: 199 sq ft (18.5 m2)
Cylinders4 (Garratt)
Cylinder size
  • M: 12.5 in × 20 in (318 mm × 508 mm)
  • Ms: 13.25 in × 20 in (337 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort
  • M: 22,436 lbf (99.80 kN)
  • Ms: 24,488 lbf (108.93 kN)
Factor of adh.
  • M: 5.3
  • Ms: 5
Career
OperatorsWestern Australian Government Railways
Numbers
  • M388–M393
  • Ms424–Ms430
Dispositionall scrapped

History

The first batch of six engines, was built in 1911. This batch, which entered WAGR service in 1912, was only the third Garratt design to be built, and represented a significant step in the development of the type. The second batch, of seven engines, was built in 1913/14, and was designated as the Ms class because its members were superheated. One of the engines in the first batch was later fitted with a superheater and reclassified as an Ms class engine.[2][3]

All of the M/Ms class locomotives were used to haul trains on the WAGR's light lines. They were withdrawn from service between 1947 and 1955, and all were scrapped.[1]

Class lists

M class list

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the M class were as follows:[1]

M class, built by Beyer, Peacock & Co. in 1911:
Builder's
number		 Fleet
number		 In service Withdrawn Notes
5477 388 2 March 1912 4 September 1947
5478 389 9 March 1912 19 December 1934 Converted to Ms class
5479 390 16 March 1912 17 April 1950
5480 391 23 March 1912 17 April 1947
5481 392 30 March 1912 4 September 1947
5482 393 6 April 1912 20 November 1951

Ms class list

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the Ms class were:[1]

Ms class, built by Beyer, Peacock & Co.:
Builder's
number		 Fleet
number		 Year built In service Withdrawn Notes
5478 389 1911 12 April 1935 28 September 1950 Converted from M class
5665 424 1913 27 September 1913 4 September 1947 Stowed 25 July 1945
5666 425 1913 4 October 1913 4 September 1947
5667 426 1913 27 September 1913 4 September 1947
5668 427 1913 4 October 1913 4 September 1947
5669 428 1913 4 October 1913 14 February 1952
5670 429 1913 11 October 1913 13 January 1955
5671 430 1913 11 June 1914 29 May 1953 Erected at Midland Railway Workshops, October 1913, for State Saw Mills. In service at Manjimup, November 1913. Transferred to WAGR June 1914 in exchange for G57 & G59.

Namesakes

The M class designation was previously used for the M class locomotives that were withdrawn in 1911. It was reused in the 1970s when the M class diesel locomotives entered service.

See also

References

Notes
  1. Gunzburg 1984, p. 92.
  2. Gunzburg 1984, pp. 90–92.
  3. Turner, Jim (1997). Australian Steam Locomotives 1896-1958. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press. pp. 54, 63. ISBN 086417778X.

Bibliography
  • Durrant, A E (1981). Garratt Locomotives of the World (rev. and enl. ed.). Newton Abbot, Devon, UK; North Pomfret, Vt, USA: David & Charles. ISBN 0715376411.
  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). ISBN 0959969039.

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