NZR K class (1932)

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The NZR K class of 1932 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 in response to the need for a locomotive that could haul more tonnage than an A^B class locomotive could, and due to New Zealand's narrow gauge and clearances, the power had to be very carefully and cleverly compressed into an area smaller than would usually be used for a locomotive of such power. The locomotives were developed following the failure of the Garratt type G class locomotives in New Zealand.

One shortcoming was that they had a tendency to suffer cracked frames, and the lack of space inside the locomotive due to its compressed design did not please maintenance staff. Due to the limitations of hand-firing of coal, the locomotives may not have always worked at their full potential, though a coal shortage late in World War II prompted New Zealand Railways to convert the engines to being oil fired. These engines lasted until near the end of steam in New Zealand in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The members of the K class were best known for spectacular running on the mountainous parts of the North Island Main Trunk in the central North Island and on the Wanganui line. The class should not be confused with the much earlier Rogers K class of 1877-78.

Two further evolutions of the K class design appeared - the K^A class and K^B class.

[edit] Preserved locomotives

K 900 was the first K class locomotive to be preserved, initially put on display outside Sims Pacific Metals in Otahuhu until a road transporter large enough to transport it was available. Since that time it has sat on display at MOTAT, and only recently a shelter to protect it was erected. It appears much as it was when withdrawn, with the recessed K-style headlight, but with a K^A style funnel and a cross-compund pump.

K 911 and 917 were withrawn from service with K 921 and stripped for use as stationary boilers at Hutt Workshops, where they replaced the three boilers from the NZR G class that had previously been used. The three Ks lasted until 1988, at which point K 911 was bought by Ian Welch for Mainline Steam, K 917 was bought by Steam Incorporated, and K 921 was scrapped, with some parts being retained for use by the other two. K 911 has had large progress made on it towards restoration, while K 917 for the time being is stored.

• K 900 - (Static display) MOTAT, Auckland.
• K 911 - Mainline Steam, Wellington.
• K 917 - Steam Incorporated, Wellington; the boiler off this locomotive is a spare for K^A 945.

[edit] Resource

• Heath, Eric, and Stott, Bob; Classic Steam Locomotives Of New Zealand, Grantham House, 1993
• Stott, Bod; A Locomotive reborn: the Ka 945 story, Southern Press, 1986

[edit] External links

• New Zealand Steam Locomotives - Class K