M and MA Class

Built by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn in 1952, the ten M class initially worked trains of all types over the major lines in the north of the state. In 1957/58 four locomotives had their 4' 7" driving wheels replaced with surplus 4' 0" garratt wheels and were reclassified MA, to enable better operation on the North East Line (see table for numbers).

Although steam locomotive operation declined during the 1960’s, suburban and tour workings out of Hobart allowed most of the M and MA locomotives to stay in service, although M1, M2 and MA3 had been stored by the mid 1960s.

The 1971 TGR centenary celebrations, when six of the ten M/MA class locomotives (M3, M4, M5, M6, MA2 & MA4) were operational, was the finale for the type as a few months later all operational M/MA locos were withdrawn simultaneously. M3 was later reinstated to service and spent several years working tour and suburban passenger trains, before being withdrawn in October 1975.

In October 1960, the locomotives were allocated as follows: M1, M6 and MA4 - Out of traffic at Launceston; M2 and M3 - Devonport, M4 - Smithton, M5, MA1 and MA3 - In service at Launceston and MA2 - Herrick

Details

Builder: Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn
Type: 4-6-2 Tender
Intended use: Mixed traffic
Introduced: 1952 (M), 1957 (MA)
Number in class: 6 (M), 4 (MA)
Boiler pressure: 180 psi
Total Weight: 96t 12c
2 cylinder superheated

Original M Class numbers	Final M/MA Numbers
M1	MA2
M2	MA4
M3	M3
M4	M4
M5	M5
M6	MA3
M7	M1
M8	MA1
M9	M6
M10	M2

Preservation - M Class

M1 - Derwent Valley Railway, New Norfolk
M2 - Tanfield Steam Railway, Gateshead upon Tyne, England
M3 - Don River Railway, Devonport
M4 - Don River Railway, Devonport
M5 - Tasmanian Transport Museum, Glenorchy, Tasmania
M6 - Bellarine Peninsula Railway, Queenscliff, Victoria