M3

Static Exhibit at the Don River Railway

 

 M3 is displayed on a turntable road at Don, as seen (behind and somewhat obscured by H7) in this photo of 8 May 2003.

This locomotive was built by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns Ltd in 1951 as their builder's number 7423, being the third of ten members the Tasmanian Government Railways' M-class 4-6-2 locomotives.  These locomotives were built to the proven design of Indian Railways metre-gauge YB class pacifics. a, b

 

Both the Tasmanian Government Railways M & H-class locomotives were of modern design, featuring roller bearings on all axles and throughout the motion and the only Australian classes to be completely fitted-out with roller bearings.  They were also fitted with Australian designed SCOA-P wheels which provided greater strength and lower weight; other Australian locomotives fitted with this design of wheel were the Victorian Railways' R & J classes and the Queensland Railway's BB18-1/4 class.

 

M3 retained its original number during the 1957-58 rebuilding by the Tasmanian Government Railways of four "M" class members to "MA" class.  The other class members were renumbered as per the following table:

 

Original No. RS&H Builder's No. New No.  a
M1 7421 MA2
M2 7422 MA4
M3 7423 M3
M4 7424 M4
M5 7425 M5
M6 7426 MA3
M7 7427 M1
M8 7428 MA1
M9 7429 M6
M10 7430 M2

 

 

M3 is statically displayed at the Don River Railway at Don in Tasmania's north, being one of four M / MA class locos preserved at this excellent museum and workshop.

 

 

References

 

a L. Oberg, 'Locomotives of Australia', published by J. W. Books Pty Ltd, Brookvale NSW. 1982 reprint.
b Dix, A., Beck, D., and Dix M. 'Locomotives of the Tasmanian Transport Museum Glenorchy Tasmania', published by the Tasmanian Transport Museum Society, October 1991. 
c Cooper, G & Goss, G 'Tasmanian Railways 1871 - 1996, 125 Years - A Pictorial History' published by C G publishing Company.
d Information provided by Melanie Dennis via email dated 14 July 2004.
e Webmaster's observation or comment.

 

Page updated:  1 July 2013

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