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This
locomotive was the fifth of ten members the Tasmanian Government Railways'
M-class 4-6-2 locomotives, which were built to the proven design of Indian
Railways metre-gauge YB class Pacifics. Photos show these locomotives wore
handsome green or red liveries in service.
M5
retained its original number during the 1957-58 rebuilding by the Tasmanian
Government Railways of four M-class members to MA-class.
M5 was
donated by the Tasmanian Government Railways to the Tasmanian
Transport Museum at Glenorchy, Hobart in November 1974. Today M5 is
preserved in operational condition with main line certification; between
outings it is displayed within the museum's roundhouse at Glenorchy.
A
complete history of the Tasmanian Government Railways M-class and this
locomotive is provided in the exhibit guidebook ‘Locomotives of the
Tasmanian Transport Museum’. The webmaster considers the Tasmanian
Transport Museum one of the best presented rail transport collections in
Australia with a variety of well restored railway, tramway and road
exhibits, and thoroughly recommends a visit!
Update:
M5
was withdrawn from traffic in 2019 pending overhaul, which was completed in
2025 culminating in a return to steam on 8 June 2025. The loco is now
available for service during running days at the Tasmanian Transport Museum
and looks as good as new, with polished rods and brightwork and wearing authentic
green livery.
Video:
Rowan
Kinnane / Rail Media Productions has recently published the following
YouTube video featuring M5’s return to steam at the Tasmanian Transport
Museum, Glenorchy:
‘The
return of M5 - first public trains’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmaNqHMWesc
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