History
Following the success of the K class in the North Island, there was a need for similar locomotives to operate the Midland Line, primarily between Springfield and Arthur's Pass. These new locomotives incorporated a number of improvements upon the K class, including a re-designed plate frame to eliminate cracking issues the K class experienced; roller bearings on all wheels; hydrostatic lubrication throughout; and the inclusion of the ACFI feedwater system that had been pioneered on K 919. The ACFI equipment's aesthetic appearance had been criticised, hence the KB and contemporary KA classes were both fitted with shrouding to obscure it.
The KB class were technically very similar to the KA class, but were distinguished by the inclusion of a booster on the rear axle of the trailing bogie and Nicholson thermic syphons in the firebox. The use of the booster, first proposed for the K class in 1932, was mainly due to steeper gradients and heavy freight trains on the Midland Line, especially Cass bank. Additional piping and sanding equipment for the booster gave the KB a slightly different appearance to the KA. The booster was intended solely for use at low speed, and some class members ultimately had the booster removed due to problems such as jamming in gear, reducing the locomotive's top speed.
Building of the locomotives commenced in 1939. Construction and assembly took place at NZR's Hillside Workshops. The first of the six member class was produced before the first of the KA class then under construction at Hutt Workshops. All of the class were in service by 1940.
Read more about this topic: NZR KB Class
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