South Australian Railways M class (first)

The South Australian Railways M Class (1st) Locomotives were built by Avonside Engine Company from 1868 to 1874. They were originally built for the Canterbury Provincial Railways in New Zealand. They were sent from New Zealand to South Australia in 1878 and were first in service on the South Australian Railways between 1880 and 1881.

History
The South Australian Railways purchased their new M class locomotives from the Canterbury Provincial Railways of New Zealand in 1878. The M class locomotives were a batch of five locomotives which were also transported with the E and I classes, destined for South Australia. On journey to South Australia on the ship "Hyderabad" which was carrying the order of locomotives, got wrecked off New Zealand. All the locomotives onboard were salvaged and they completed their journey to South Australia. The batch of five locomotives on the ship "Hyderabad" were to create the S.A.R.'s first series of M class. There were two different types of this class and the difference can be seen in the specifications. The two earlier built locomotives which were numbered 44 & 46 were fitted out with well tanks instead of side tanks. The other M class locomotives numbered 43, 45 and 47 had side tanks. These locomotives eventually entered service on the S.A.R. between the years 1880 and 1881 and they entered service on the Port line and its branchlines. They also time to time worked on the private operated "Glanville to Largs Bay railway line". Their duties included shunting on the wharves and later on in their life they worked on trains to Henley Beach, Outer Harbour, Semaphore and on passenger/goods trains on the Northern railway line. Note: The "Glanville to Largs Bay Railway Line" was a privately built line by the Largs Bay Railway and Investment Company and they operated hired locomotives/rolling stock from the S.A.R.