The NZR Ka coal burning steam locomotive was a class of mixed traffic 4-8-4 engines that operated primarily on New Zealand's North Island Main Trunk railway as heavy freight and express passenger service locomotives.
Building of the 35 locomotives commenced in 1939 and main construction and assembly took place at the Hutt Workshops. Withdrawals began in 1964 lasting until 1967.
Ka945 was the first of the Ka locomotives to be completed and was withdrawn after 28 years service in December 1967. It was purchased by Len Southward who stored it at Taumaranui and then at Steam Incorporated, Paekakariki. Later he gifted Ka945 to Steam Incorporated (http://www.steaminc.org.nz), and they began slowly overhauling it to working order. In 1985, Ka945 returned to steam on the main line. In the 10 years that followed Ka945 ran numerous excursions all over New Zealand. It was withdrawn in 1995 for a 10-year overhaul, which has yet to take place.
