The NZR K class of 1932 was a class of mixed traffic 4-8-4 steam locomotives built by the New Zealand Railways Department (NZR) that operated on New Zealand's railway network. [1] The locomotives were developed following the failure of the G class Garratt locomotives.

The New Zealand designed and constructed K 900 steam locomotive, was built in 1932 at the Hutt Workshops of New Zealand Railways, Wellington. It is the largest non-articulated steam locomotive ever operated by New Zealand Railways (NZR).

K900 combines American and British railway engineering with New Zealand innovation. The design allowed the locomotive to tow bigger loads than any of the earlier New Zealand locomotives, within the limits imposed by New Zealand tunnels, bridges and trackside structures.

The NZR KA class of 1939 was a class of mixed traffic 4-8-4 steam locomotives 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 the New Zealand Railways Department.

The first K, No. 900, is preserved on display at Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). It was built at the NZR Woburn workshops, Lower Hutt, in 1932 and withdrawn from traffic in 1965. The first Ka to enter service (No. 945) was also built at Woburn, in 1939, and withdrawn in 1967.

It was a masterpiece of design, for within the restricted confines of the NZR loading gauge (maximum height above rail 11' 6"; maximum width 8' 6") was built a locomotive developing a tractive effort of 30,815 lb, yet having an axle loading of only 14 tons.

May 13, 2024 · Used to visit k900 as a kid. Always called it papa's loco, my grandfather worked on it in the late 30s. 💥 Blast from the past! 🚂 The K class of 1932 was a class of steam locomotives built by the New Zealand Railways Department (NZR). 💪 Built at the NZR...

Built by NZR Hutt Builder's number 277 Built 1932 In service 11/32 Withdrawn 7.64 To MOTAT 1975. On static display. MOTAT, AucklandThis image is taken from a photograph album created by William W. Stewart, artist, photographer and author of several books on steam trains. The album was presented as a gift to P.R. Angus, chief mechanical engineer ...

K 900 holds a special place in New Zealand railway history as the first of 71 NZR 4-8-4’s. The early success of these large, locally-built locomotives was a tremendous morale-booster in the prevailing gloom of the Great Depression.