140 TON ENGINES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 April 1939, Page 8

140 TON ENGINES

SIX BEING CONSTRUCTED AT HILLSIDE. METHODS OF INCREASING POWER Weighing 140 tons each, six new locomotives of the Kb type are at present being built in the' Hillside Workshops for the South Island main lines. These locomotives are exceptionally powerful, and incorporate several unusual features.

They are actually the first of their class to be constructed in New Zealand, and their progress has been watched with great interest by the departmental authorities. Considerable gratification has already been expressed at the splendid workmanship which is going into the construction of the giant engines, and when completed there is no doubt that much credit will be due to the men of the Hillside Workshops who have been engaged upon them. Each engine is' fitted throughout with roller bearings, which is an unusual departure. Streamline methods have been adopted in their construction, and these two features alone should’serve to increase speed. Even more important than these aspects is the fitting of a booster engine to each locomotive. These take the form of a "trailing bogey,” 'which draws its power from the main boiler and gives additional power to the axles. The purpose is the development of greater tractive power, and is expected to prove highly successful in pulling unusually heavy trains and in negotiating mountainous country. This will be an improvement .on a method which has been used in the North Island during the last five or six years, and its practical application will be watched with much interest. The first of the engines will probably be ready for use about the middle of next month, and the present schedule provides for the remaining five to be ready at the rate of one a month thereafter. They should all be completed in time to cope with the main flow of centenary traffic.