NZR Ka class
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| NZR KA class | |
 A streamlined KA class locomotive |
|
| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | NZGR Hutt Workshops |
| Build date | 1939 - 1950 |
| Configuration | 4-8-4 |
| Gauge | 3' 6", 1067 mm |
| Wheel diameter | 54" |
| Wheelbase | 34' 10" ft |
| Length | 69' 8" ft |
| Width | 8' 6" ft |
| Height | 11' 6" ft |
| Weight on drivers | 56.4 tons |
| Total weight | 146 tons |
| Fuel type | Coal, Oil |
| Tender capacity | 5000 gals water, 7.5 tons coal, 1570 gals Oil |
| Boiler pressure | 200 psig |
| Feedwater heater | ACFI |
| Power output | 1400 hp |
| Tractive effort | 30815 lbf |
| Career | New Zealand Railways |
| Number in class | 35 |
| Number | 930 - 964 |
| Official name | "Nigel Bruce" (KA 942) |
| Locale | North Island of New Zealand |
| First run | 1939 |
| Last run | December 1967 |
| Retired | 1966 - 1967 |
| Restored | 1985 (KA 945) |
| Scrapped | 1966 - 1967 |
| Current owner | Mainline Steam, Silver Stream Railway, Steam Incorporated |
| Disposition | Withdrawn; 3 preserved |
The NZR KA class of 1939 was a class of steam locomotive that operated on New Zealand's railway network with a wheel arrangement of 4-8-4. They were built after the success of the K class to meet the increasing demands of New Zealand Government Railways. The locomotives first appeared with distinctive stream lining, mainly to hide their ACFI feedwater systems. This streamlining was removed by maintenance staff during the late 1940s - 50s. Nineteen locomotives were built between 1939 and 1941, but the Second World War intervened, with the remaining sixteen being built between 1941 and 1950, a much longer period than was anticipated by the Railways' management. The locomotives were very well regarded by passengers and customers of NZGR, and were often used to promote rail transport. However, with the introduction of diesel locomotives, particularly after the introduction of the DA class in 1955, the KA class were slowly withdrawn. The last locomotive, KA 935, ran in revenue service in 1967.
In 1953, KA 949 was involved in the Tangiwai disaster.
[edit] Preserved locomotives
Three of the locomotives are preserved and are located at:
- Silver Stream Railway (KA 935)
- Mainline Steam (KA 942 named 'Nigel Bruce')
- Steam Incorporated (KA 945)
[edit] Resource
- Stott, Bob; A Locomotive reborn: the KA 945 story, Southern Press, 1986
