
B-52 Stratofortress at Wings Over Wairarapa
The New Zealand Railways operated a fleet of 35 Ka class 4-8-4 steam locomotives for exclusive use on the North Island rail network from 1939 until their final retirement in 1967. Most of these locomotives were built at the Hutt Workshops (Wellington) although ten were built (but not assembled) at the Hillside Workshops in Dunedin.
KA942 'Nigel Bruce' steams into the heart of the Southern Alps in New Zealand. Photo: © Compak Telepictures Ltd (Used under license)
Ka942 on the turntable at Otira in the heart of the Southern Alps. This shot illustrates the streamlined shrouds on top of the engine.
Ja1211 on a run toward Arthurs Pass in the South Island. The distinctive boiler streamlining that was reinstated on the engine after it was restored is plainly visible in this shot.
The full documentary film presented by Mainline Steam, shows two steam locomotives, J1211 'Gloria' and KA942 'Nigel Bruce' in action on the Midland railway line of Canterbury, New Zealand.
As with the Ka class, there are currently three Ja class locomotives that have been preserved (none of the Jb class were saved).
J 1211 "Gloria" was recovered for use with Steam Incorporated in 1972, and after being restored fro mainline running by the Glenbrook Vintage Railway it was used on excursions during the Rail 125 event in 1988. In 1996 it was converted to be an oil burner in the same manner that the Jb class engines were converted. The engine is still based at Glenbrook. J 1234 was also purchased by Steam Incorporated in 1972 and was serviceable until 1992 when it was certified for use on the mainline network. It was used at Glenbrook for a number of years but is now back at Steam Incorporated in Paekakariki and is currently stored awaiting eventual overhaul. J 1236 "Joanne" was initially purchased by the Railway Enthusiasts Society for use with JA 1250 on its "South Pacific Steam Safari" tour, but has been eventually purchased by Ian Welch of Mainline Steam. This locomotive has also been restored as a JB class oil burner. In 2011 it moved to the group's Plimmerton depot for an overhaul and returned to service in 2017. "Joanne" is one of Ian Welch's daughters.Share This Story :
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