K Locomotives

A DigitalNZ Story by Richard Armstrong

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive K 902

New Zealand Railways locomotive K 902

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive K 915

New Zealand Railways locomotive K 915

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand Railways K class locomotive at Paekakariki

New Zealand Railways K class locomotive at Paekakariki

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive K 900 at Thorndon, Wellington

New Zealand Railways locomotive K 900 at Thorndon, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive K 900 at Thorndon, Wellington

New Zealand Railways locomotive K 900 at Thorndon, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: (J. Stevens, photo.) — The first of the “KB” type streamlined locomotives completed at the Railway Department's Workshops at Hillside, Dunedin. These locomotives are of 4-8-4 wheel arrangement, and weigh 145 tons in working order. They have an overall ...

(J. Stevens, photo.) — The first of the “KB” type streamlined locomotives completed at the Railway Department's Workshops at Hillside, Dunedin. The...

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: J. Stevens rhoto. The new KB type of streamlined engine recently constructed at the Hillside railway workshops, Dunedin. It is one of six of the type being built, to be used principally between Christchurch and Otira. These locomotives, in working order, weigh 145 tons, have a vAhe.elba.se of 62ft, and an overall length of 70ft. (Evening Post, 16 June 1939)

J. Stevens rhoto. The new KB type of streamlined engine recently constructed at the Hillside railway workshops, Dunedin. It is one of six of the ty...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: New Zealand Railways locomtive K 910

New Zealand Railways locomtive K 910

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive K 907

New Zealand Railways locomotive K 907

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: "Fitzroy Railway station with locomotive K 935 train."

"Fitzroy Railway station with locomotive K 935 train."

Puke Ariki

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive K 900, and an Ab class locomotive at Thorndon, Wellington, 1932-1933

New Zealand Railways locomotive K 900, and an Ab class locomotive at Thorndon, Wellington, 1932-1933

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: “K” 900, the first of the new locomotives to be put into service

“K” 900, the first of the new locomotives to be put into service

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: Model (1:24 scale) New Zealand Railways steam locomotive K900

Model (1:24 scale) New Zealand Railways steam locomotive K900

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Arrangement of valve gears for "K" 900 steam locomotive

Arrangement of valve gears for "K" 900 steam locomotive

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Blueprint plan for K class steam locomotive, New Zealand Railways no 900, 4-8-4 type

Blueprint plan for K class steam locomotive, New Zealand Railways no 900, 4-8-4 type

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Maidstone Model Engineering Society; 1967

Maidstone Model Engineering Society; 1967

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Model steam locomotive and tender

Model steam locomotive and tender

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Model of a “K” locomotive and of some types of freight rolling stock used on the New Zealand Railways

Model of a “K” locomotive and of some types of freight rolling stock used on the New Zealand Railways

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: (W. W. Stewart Collection.) In readiness for the day's run—“K” locomotives at the Auckland Locomotive Shed, North Island, New Zealand

(W. W. Stewart Collection.) In readiness for the day's run—“K” locomotives at the Auckland Locomotive Shed, North Island, New Zealand

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: A goods train hauled by a “K” locomotive, leaving Auckland. — (W. W. Stewart collection)

A goods train hauled by a “K” locomotive, leaving Auckland. — (W. W. Stewart collection)

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: (W. W. Stewart collection.) — The Auckland-Wellington Express drawn by one of the new “K” class locomotives, leaving Auckland

(W. W. Stewart collection.) — The Auckland-Wellington Express drawn by one of the new “K” class locomotives, leaving Auckland

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: K class steam locomotive, New Zealand Railways no 900, 4-8-4 type

K class steam locomotive, New Zealand Railways no 900, 4-8-4 type

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: "K" 900 steam locomotive (4-8-4 type) on the turntable at Hutt Railway Workshops, 1933

"K" 900 steam locomotive (4-8-4 type) on the turntable at Hutt Railway Workshops, 1933

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: K class steam locomotive, New Zealand Railways no 919, 4-8-4 type

K class steam locomotive, New Zealand Railways no 919, 4-8-4 type

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Front view of "K" 900 steam locomotive (4-8-4 type) at Hutt Railway Workshops, 1932

Front view of "K" 900 steam locomotive (4-8-4 type) at Hutt Railway Workshops, 1932

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: "K" Class, oilburning locomotive No 925 - Photograph taken by New Zealand Railways

"K" Class, oilburning locomotive No 925 - Photograph taken by New Zealand Railways

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand Railways Ab and K class locomotives at Thorndon Station, Wellington. 1930s

New Zealand Railways Ab and K class locomotives at Thorndon Station, Wellington. 1930s

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Designed And Manufactured In New Zealand; — (Rly. Publicity photo.) — Locomotive “K” 900 recently completed at the Hutt Valley Workshops. Wellington. The following are the chief particulars of the locomotive:—Type, 4-8-4 with double bogie tender; water...

Designed And Manufactured In New Zealand; — (Rly. Publicity photo.) — Locomotive “K” 900 recently completed at the Hutt Valley Workshops. Wellingto...

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: (W. W. Stewart Collection.) — An imposing spectacle of power. Four “K” locomotives, the latest product of New Zealand Railway Engineers, at the running sheds at Auckland

(W. W. Stewart Collection.) — An imposing spectacle of power. Four “K” locomotives, the latest product of New Zealand Railway Engineers, at the run...

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: A striking contrast. Locomotive “K” 900, built in the Department's workshops in 1932, and “F” 228, built by Dubs and Coy., Glasgow, 1880. — (Photo., Hugh Bennett)

A striking contrast. Locomotive “K” 900, built in the Department's workshops in 1932, and “F” 228, built by Dubs and Coy., Glasgow, 1880. — (Photo....

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: (From the W. W. Stewart collection.) — Symbol of Power. Two “K” locomotives being prepared for the day's run at the running shed at Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

(From the W. W. Stewart collection.) — Symbol of Power. Two “K” locomotives being prepared for the day's run at the running shed at Auckland, North...

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: A sketch of a New Zealand Railways “K” class locomotive, drawn by Mr. T. Hope, of the Department's Car and Wagon staff, Wellington

A sketch of a New Zealand Railways “K” class locomotive, drawn by Mr. T. Hope, of the Department's Car and Wagon staff, Wellington

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: (Rly. Publicity photo.) — One of the new “K” class locomotives taking in water at Thorndon station, Wellington, N.Z

(Rly. Publicity photo.) — One of the new “K” class locomotives taking in water at Thorndon station, Wellington, N.Z

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: (W. W. Stewart Collection.) — The old and the new. A study of an early “A” and a modern “K” class locomotive in the railway yard at Otahuhu, Auckland

(W. W. Stewart Collection.) — The old and the new. A study of an early “A” and a modern “K” class locomotive in the railway yard at Otahuhu, Auckland

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: One hobby leads you; out of extravagance.“—Bulwer-Lytton. — Models of the “C” and “K” Class Locomotives made by Mr. Murray. See letterpress for description of the illustration

One hobby leads you; out of extravagance.“—Bulwer-Lytton. — Models of the “C” and “K” Class Locomotives made by Mr. Murray. See letterpress for des...

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: (W. W. Stewart Collection.) — Departure from Auckland of the Auckland-Wellington Express, and a study of locomotive “K” 901 before the commencement of the 426 mile run to the Capital City of New Zealand

(W. W. Stewart Collection.) — Departure from Auckland of the Auckland-Wellington Express, and a study of locomotive “K” 901 before the commencement...

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: Train of 16 Cars Hauled by Locomotive K900. — (From the W. W. Stewart collection). The special train (at Penrose Station Auckland), run in connection with the Children's Christmas Treat Celebration at Otahuhu Workshops

Train of 16 Cars Hauled by Locomotive K900. — (From the W. W. Stewart collection). The special train (at Penrose Station Auckland), run in connecti...

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: Ka class steam locomotive, New Zealand Railways no 946, 4-8-4 type

Ka class steam locomotive, New Zealand Railways no 946, 4-8-4 type

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ka class locomotive, New Zealand Railways no 949, 4-8-4 type

Ka class locomotive, New Zealand Railways no 949, 4-8-4 type

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: (Photo., W. W. Stewart Collection.) The New Zealand Railways powerful “K” class locomotive. Type, 4-8-4 with double bogie tender; water capacity, 5,600 gallons; coal capacity, 7 ½ tons; total weight in working order, 136 tons: tractive force, 30,815 Ib...

(Photo., W. W. Stewart Collection.) The New Zealand Railways powerful “K” class locomotive. Type, 4-8-4 with double bogie tender; water capacity, 5...

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: Railway- Publicity Photo. K.A. 945, the first of 25 similar powerful locomotives to be built at the Hutt Railway Workshops. Cowling and a recessed headlight give it a semi-streamlined appearance. This engine will be used on freight trains first and expresses later. (Evening Post, 17 July 1939)

Railway- Publicity Photo. K.A. 945, the first of 25 similar powerful locomotives to be built at the Hutt Railway Workshops. Cowling and a recessed ...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive, K 4-8-4 class; number illegible

New Zealand Railways locomotive, K 4-8-4 class; number illegible

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive, K 4-8-4 class; number 900; first of this class.

New Zealand Railways locomotive, K 4-8-4 class; number 900; first of this class.

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive, K 4-8-4 class; number 900; first of this class.

New Zealand Railways locomotive, K 4-8-4 class; number 900; first of this class.

Upper Hutt City Library

$Image: Sport and General" Photo. 'DARING AIRMAN.—A parachutist about to \ open his safely equipment after' jumping from an ■ aeroplane. This photograph was taken during tests at Lctchworth, England .last month. . ■'.-'■ '" , . "Evening Post" Photo; MADE IN NEW ZEALAND.—TheK9OI, a New Zealand-made engine, drawing the Wellington-Auckland express. Some of these locomotives,built at the Hutt Railway Workshops, are'now, being used in drawing the express trains, .after having .been, tested in goods service. (Evening Post, 13 April 1933)$

Sport and General" Photo. 'DARING AIRMAN.—A parachutist about to \ open his safely equipment after' jumping from an ■ aeroplane. This photograph wa...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: (Hugh Bennett, photo.) — The Department's latest “K” class locomotive attached to the “Limited” express at Auckland station

(Hugh Bennett, photo.) — The Department's latest “K” class locomotive attached to the “Limited” express at Auckland station

Victoria University of Wellington