NZR K class (1877)

NZR K class (1877)
K 88 at The Plains Railway in 2013.
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Rogers Locomotive Works, New Jersey, USA Serial number 2454–2455 2469 – 2474 Build date 1877–1878 Total produced 8
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-4-2  • UIC 1′B1′ n2 Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Leading dia. 30.25 in (768 mm) Driver dia. 48 in (1,219 mm) Trailing dia. 30.25 in (768 mm) Length 45 ft 7 in (13.89 m) Adhesive weight 14.8 long tons (15.0 t; 16.6 short tons) Loco weight 23.3 long tons (23.7 t; 26.1 short tons) Tender weight 19.2 long tons (19.5 t; 21.5 short tons) Total weight 42.5 long tons (43.2 t; 47.6 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 2.2 long tons (2.24 t; 2.46 short tons) Water cap. 1,250 imp gal (5,700 L; 1,500 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 8.8 sq ft (0.82 m2) (Original) 10.2 sq ft (0.95 m2) (Re-boilered) Boiler pressure 130 psi (896 kPa) (Original) 160 psi (1,103 kPa) (Re-boilered) Heating surface 589 sq ft (54.7 m2) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 12 in × 20 in (305 mm × 508 mm) Valve gear Stephenson link motion Valve type Slide valves Valve travel 4 in (102 mm) Valve lap 0.9375 in (24 mm) Valve lead 0.09375 in (2 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 6,240 lbf (27.8 kN) (Original) 7,500 lbf (33 kN) (Re-boilered)
Career Class K Numbers 87–88 92 – 97 First run 9 March 1878 Last run June 1927 Preserved 3 Disposition 3 preserved, 5 scrapped

The NZR K class of 1877 was the first example of American-built locomotives to be used on New Zealand's rail network.^[1] Their success coloured locomotive development in New Zealand until the end of steam.