NZR KA class
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| 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| Disposition | Withdrawn; 3 preserved |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 correct title of this article is NZR KA class. It appears incorrectly here because of technical restrictions.
The NZR KA class of 1939 was a class of steam locomotive with a wheel arrangement of 4-8-4 that operated on New Zealand's railway network. They were built after the success of the K class to meet the increasing traffic demands of New Zealand Government Railways. The locomotives first appeared with distinctive streamlining, mainly to hide their ACFI feedwater systems. This streamlining was removed by maintenance staff during the late 1940s - 1950s.
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Nineteen locomotives were built between 1939 and 1941, but the Second World War intervened, with the remaining 16 being built between 1941 and 1950, a much longer period than was anticipated by New Zealand Railways management. While the 35 KA locomotives are shown as manufactured in the Hutt Workshops, Lloyd (page 117) notes that the last ten (Nos. 940-944 and 960-964) were essentially manufactured at Hillside Workshops with final erection at the Hutt Workshops. And boiler plates for 15 locomotives were flanged at Hutt and sent to Hillside who made the boilers. These and the imported components were used "indiscriminately" for any KA locomotives in the programme. The Vulcan Foundry, of the United Kingdom supplied parts for 15 locos (supposedly Nos. 930-944); most chassis components, tender bogies, boiler foundation rings plus many chassis components and steelplate cut to size. The General Casting Corporation of Pennsylvania, USA supplied trailing bogie and rear end framing. All axles had roller bearings. They were converted to use oil fuel between 1947 and 1953; 19 at Otahuhu Workshops and 16 at Hutt Workshops.
[edit] Service
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 Ka class locomotives are preserved:
- KA 935: Silver Stream Railway
- KA 942, named 'Nigel Bruce': Mainline Steam
- KA 945: Steam Incorporated
[edit] References
- Register of New Zealand Railways Steam Locomotives 1863-1971 by W. G. Lloyd (2nd edition 2002) ISBN 0-9582072-1-6
- Stott, Bob; A Locomotive reborn: the KA 945 story, Southern Press, 1986
