WAGR M class (1875)

The WAGR M class was a two-member class of 2-6-0 steam locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between 1876 and 1911.^[1]

WAGR M class
M24 after its sale to Whittaker Bros
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Kitson & Co Serial number 2035-2036 Build date 1875 Total produced 2
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-0 Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 3 long tons 0 cwt (6,700 lb or 3 t) Water cap. 660 imp gal (3,000 L; 790 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 10 sq ft (0.93 m2) Boiler pressure 120 lbf/in2 (0.83 MPa)
Performance figures Tractive effort 7,089 lbf (31.53 kN) Factor of adh. 4.9
Career Operators Western Australian Government Railways Numbers M23-M24 Disposition all scrapped

History

The M class engines were built in 1875 by Kitson & Co, Leeds as the first two items of motive power for the Northampton railway line, the first government railway in Western Australia. They were delivered to the port of Geraldton, the western terminus of the line, in 1876.^[1]

In 1893, both engines were relocated to Fremantle for use on the Eastern Railway. M24 was sold to Whittaker Bros in 1907, and M23 to Bunning Bros in 1911.^[2]

Class list

Number Builder's number In service Withdrawn Notes M23 2035 April 1876 August 1911 sold to Bunning Bros, spent most of its time at Lyalls Mill near Collie, but used at Muja (1938) and Yornup (February 1940 to March 1943) withdrawn by July 1946, scrapped by November 1958 M24 2036 February 1876 March 1907 sold to Whittaker Bros, North Dandalup in 1907 and named Danadalup, remained in use until the timber mill was destroyed by fire in 1944, sold to Bunning Bros in July 1945 and worked at Lyalls Mill and Yornup, numbered 4 in February 1951 and scrapped by March 1955

Namesakes

The M class designation was reused in the 1910s for the M class of Garratt locomotives and again in the 1970s when the M class diesel locomotives entered service.

See also

• Trains portal
• Western Australia portal

• History of rail transport in Western Australia
• List of Western Australian locomotive classes