Preservation and Restoration of NSW Railway Track Vehicles

NSWGR Trikes

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Trikes and Trolleys

A short history of track vehicles on the NSWGR

 

by

Greg Lee

 

Chapter 7

The famous Fairmonts, Part 3

 

 

It is not known exactly when Fairmonts were first introduced on NSWGR, or how many were ultimately employed. It is known that in 1966 there were approximately 130 MT14s and ST2s in service, and that their average age at that time was 12 years. It is believed that the M19s and ST2s were first introduced in the late 1940s or early 1950s, and the MT14s some time later, but prior to 1957. The later introduction of the MT14s possibly explains them having magneto ignition. It is thought that some Maintenance Engineers may not have been happy with the reliability of the battery ignition on M19s and ST2s. In later years some ST2s were converted to magneto ignition.

 

Many Fairmont parts were manufactured by NSWGR at the Chullora workshops. It is thought that whole cars may have been built there, the designs being copied from imported Fairmonts purchased by NSWGR. This practice of copying a manufacturer’s design is certainly one which NSWGR had used earlier with locomotives and carriages. It is known that Chullora workshops were manufacturing pistons for Fairmont engines in 1952.

 

However some Fairmonts are known to have been purchased from Tutt-Bryant Limited of Sydney, who presumably imported and assembled the cars.

 

Fairmonts were overhauled at Chullora Per Way Workshops, which involved complete rebuilding in the railway fashion, with many new parts being manufactured by the railways. For example, it is known that 50 new wheels were manufactured in 1957.

 

In 1961 three ST2 Fairmonts were rebuilt with heavier, all welded steel frames, and spring loaded axle boxes. These modifications proved successful, and were adopted as policy from then on. However, many ST2s were never so modified.

 

The adoption of heavier, all welded frames no doubt indicates that the original frames were found inadequate for the power and vibration developed by the mighty 8-13 horsepower engines.

 

Fairmonts remained in service until the late 1980s, although their usage slowly declined from the 1960s as road vehicles were introduced. Although it is not known how many Fairmonts were ultimately employed by NSWGR, it is thought to be over 300. Although tricycles, quadricycles and TICs were numerous, ST2 Fairmonts were the only common heavy duty vehicles. As such they were the backbone of on-track transport for bridge and extra gangs for thirty years.

 

In 1981 the NSW State Rail Authority investigated purchasing some new Fairmonts. They obtained quotations from Pacquip Sales and Service of Hornsby for the supply of one only of each of a MT19, a MT14 and a S2 Fairmont. The prices quoted were, respectively $8557, $9399 and $12030. Not surprisingly the SRA did not proceed with the purchases.

 

Fairmonts are unusual vehicles, being of old fashioned engine design, and tending to be idiosyncratic in nature. When they are chugging away they are a pleasure to behold, and they are remembered with affection by many who knew them.

© Greg Lee, 1992 - 1999

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