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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