While doing a sterling service on standard and Australia's broad gauge (63") the M19 was falling short on narrow gauge (42"). Though cute to look at and with plenty of power for its size its narrow floor pan of 6-3/4" limited is practicality and leg room was a problem with the mudguards now an obstacle. A more user friendly car was needed with more leg room and the wheels tucked under the floor like the bigger narrow gauge gang cars. So the seeds were sown and the M15 was developed by Fairmont MN during 1953.
The M15 was an all aluminium frame with ply engine cover and modelled on the Fairmont MN 'M9' model frame and running gear utilising shorter cross members, the latest front panel style Fairmont was fitting to their cars and a new floor pan with 2" raised box sections replacing M9 style mudguards over the wheels. They were powered by the Fairmont ROC-3 and later the ROC-12-P engine in Australia. Interesting to note that the Australian frame cross members on early production cars were pre drilled for the three gauges these cars were originally designed for - 36", Metre and 42".
The original Fairmont manufacturing drawings indicate the M15 was first designed around the 42" model with the Instruction Manual and Fairmont Minnesota brochures of the time picturing the 42" version. I am wondering if the M15 concept was at the request of Tutt-Bryants here in Australia for a more practical small narrow gauge car.
The M15 was ordered for Australia in December 1955 and production commenced in 1956 when engines and parts arrived. By 1961 a minimum of 74 M15's had been assembled at the Tutts plant at Rydalmere, Sydney NSW with a fair proportion of these on Queenslands tracks. The rest to CR. In 1961 M15 Z42-B-1-1 serial number 2074, engine number 102697E, was delivered to QR and allocated Road Number (I) 251. Records on hand indicate another (29) delivered to QR in the years preceding 1965.
In 1965, production of M15's recommenced now at the Pacific ACE plant in Hornsby NSW. The Hornsby plant produced 34 units between 1965 and 1966 with all of these units being sent to QR. In 1967 production commenced at the Salisbury plant in Brisbane where a further 90 units were assembled with 76 of these allocated to QR, 2 to the PMG in SA, 3 to a Railway Construction Company 'Ford,Bacon and Davis' and the rest to CR. In 1977 production moved back to Hornsby and another 59 were assembled, all for QR , the last two extensively factory modified and fitted with Briggs & Stratton engines and vary drive with forward/reverse transmission. - All reports indicate these two Briggs cars were too powerful and ran at excessive speed for the chassis design.
The total number of M15's purchased by QR is still being determined as total QR road numbers do not match factory production. At least one and maybe more units were given new road numbers during major overhauls. It has now been established that QR numbered their M15's commencing at No. 200 and finishing at QR No 454 for the last ROC built unit. It is assumed the last two units with the factory fitted Briggs engines were allocated road numbers 455/6
Records indicate that all M15's supplied to QR had the magneto option and the majority had a steel tube and ply factory fitted cab. I have been told the light box steel and ply cabs were made by QR. During their life on QR many had extensive rebuilds replacing aluminium with steel and a number were re motored with 16 and in one case I have seen an 18 HP Briggs & Stratton engine. The Honda GX 240 8 hp engine was also utilized in a number of conversions at Rockhampton. Transmission in the conversions utilized the same vary speed drive and gear box as fitted in the TMC's or the local Brisbane manufacturer 'ARGO' using their forward/reverse gear box with vary speed drive.
Early records are not available for South Australia at present but between 1965 and 1974 eleven M15's were shipped to Tutt Bryants in South Australia. Two of these were sold to the PMG for use on the Ghan line. The rest to Commonwealth Railways. It appears that some of the cars sent to SA had magneto ignition and the nine units sent there between 1965 and 1970 had the rare Fairmont Electric Start fitted. I will post more data on South Australia's M15's as it comes to hand.
M15's were originally allocated a 2xxx serial numbering as per the new scheme adopted in the early 50's
In 1965, when production commenced at the Pacific Plant the original 1xx 1949 serial numbering scheme was used. The producer of a company history sheet during the early 80's was unaware of the pre 1965 production and further due to the serial allocation of the post 1965 cars assumed this was when production first commenced. Consequently the original build date and production numbers on this sheet have proven to be incorrect. I am of the opinion that in 1965 the powers of be at Pacific also thought this was the first time these cars had been manufactured and so implemented this original series scheme.
A Fairmont Car card history produced by the Motor Car Collectors of America some years back also indicates the M15 being first produced in 1959 which is incorrect.
Actual units produced in Australia is still being determined, December 2004.
The M15 is proving most popular with enthusiasts due to its light construction which makes it easy to tow and handle. A growing number are now in private hands with a couple still registered for service in Queensland.
Any additions/corrections/comments please feel free let me know.
Copyright © TFHL/Mark Swaby 2003/4 - All rights reserved
Updated December 2004