Victoria's Fairmont History

Overview

Research to date indicates that the Victorian Railways had the only Fairmont Motor Car, an M19 Z63 F-3-3 operating in Victoria till private preservation ownership. A NSWGR Fairmont may have ventured south when the north east standard gauge line was pushed through victoria in 1962 but by that time Fairmonts were on the way out in NSW so the likely hood is small.

Interesting to note that back in 1954 the Melbourne SUN ran and advert from Tutt-Bryant celebrating the Victorian Railways 100th aniversary. Included in the advert was an illustration of an ST2 which the Victorian Railways never had! Tutt-Bryant did go on to supply Push Trailors and Track Machines to VR and details of these will be published at a later date.

History

M19Z63 F-3-3, Pacific Ace Queensland, Serial 2060 was dispatched to the Tutt-Bryant Victorian division on the 31st Dec 1971 and delivered to VR Spotswood Ways and Works branch shortly after. It was allocated road No. 'F-1'. I am sure Tutt-Bryants were hoping for more orders but alas this was not to be and so VR's 'F1' had the honour of being the last M19Z63 model to role of the production line in Australia.

'F1's history card shows it being allocated at Geelong/Winchelsea till being returned to Spotswood for maintenace in 1975. The 23rd June 1976 saw it back at Winchelsea.

On the 3rd Jan 1978 it was returned to Spotswood for a 6 months respite and then despatched to Sale in July of that year where it remained till retirement, date unknown.

It is now presereved, but not in running order at time of writing, with a local Railway Historical Society at Dayelsford Victoria.

Ironically the biggest individual collection of Fairmonts Motor cars (some 35) and spare parts in Australia are now held in the State of Victoria!

Any additions/corrections/comments please feel free let me know.