Withdrawal and Disposal
From the mid-1950s, dieselisation impacted the utilisation of the KB class. This became especially pronounced in the 1960s, and the introduction of the DJ class in 1968 brought about their ultimate demise. As they were displaced from duties in the late 1960s, some members were used on the Main South Line, including hauling the South Island Limited.
The first withdrawals were KBs 966 and 969 in October 1967; both were cut up for scrap. KB 969 was withdrawn after hauling the only ever double-headed KB train, having suffered a cracked motion bracket. Before it was sent to the breakers' yard, it was incribed with a message reading "Goodbye Kb 969, you'll come back as roofing iron".
KB 967 was withdrawn in October 1968. This left only three KB's in service (965, 968 and 970), and of those, only 968 was serviceable; the remaining two were withdrawn by March 1969. 968 made its last journey on 22 June 1969, hauling a railway enthusiast's excursion from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass and return.
Read more about this topic: NZR KB Class
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