In Service
As intended, the KB class were based solely in the South Island and performed most of their work hauling freight trains on the Midland Line. However, during the Second World War, they were also used on the Main South Line.
While the aesthetic shrouding cleaned up the appearance of the locomotives, it was open at the top and gathered soot and dust which affected the working environment in the cab. After the war, the aesthetic shrouding was removed from the locomotives and the ACFI feedwater system was replaced with an exhaust steam injector.
Although the K and KA classes were converted to burn oil at the time, the KBs remained as coal burners due to the availability of high grade West Coast coal.
Read more about this topic: NZR KB Class
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