NZR K class (1877)

The NZR Rogers K class were some of the first steam locomotives of American design to be used on New Zealand's railways. The class had a wheel arrangement of 2-4-2 and comprised a total of eight members built by the Rogers Locomotive Works of New Jersey, of which two were built in 1877 and a subsequent six followed in 1878. The locomotives were initially based in the South Island and proved themselves on expresses on the Main South Line. One of the two locomotives to operate the first train between Christchurch and Dunedin was a member of the initial 1877 batch (the other locomotive was the double Fairlie Josephine). The locomotives were striking with their 'Gothic' style cab and ornate sand dome lid, and in later years, some were moved to operate trains in the North Island.

The locomotives lasted well into the 20th century, with the final member of the Rogers K class withdrawn in 1928. Several members of the class were dumped in the Oreti River as a means of combating erosion, and it was from here that K 88 was recovered in 1974 with much fanfare. This was the member of the Rogers K class that operated the first train from Christchurch to Dunedin. It was taken to the Plains Railway Museum near Ashburton and fully restored to an operational condition in 1981. Following this, two members of the 1878 batch, K 92 and K 94, were recovered from where they were dumped. K 92 has been restored much like K 88 and has operated on various lines throughout New Zealand, including double-heading a train with K 88. K 94, however, will not be restored at this point in time and is kept by the Plains Railway as a very vivid illustration of the condition K 88 was once in.

The Rogers K class should not be confused with the much more famous K class constructed in 1932.

External links

• The Plains Railway, owner of two Rogers K class locomotives
• Information on three preserved class members from the Weka Pass Railway (including photos): K 88, K 92, K 94
• Pictures of the restoration of K 88

Resource

• Heath, Eric; and Bob Stott (1993). Classic Steam Locomotives of New Zealand. Wellington: Grantham House. ISBN 1-86934-036-1.