Re: Atmospheric, Eye Catching, Number 2.

Kevin Cook Wrote:
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> Nice, somewhat similar to the Southern Pacific's
> Skyline Castings


I don't know about the SP, but NZR used those casings on some of the 4-8-4's because the feedwater piping was apparently so ugly that nobody could stand to look at the things. In effect NZR stuck a bag over the locomotive's face. I find that notion amusing! The shrouding was later removed from most (all?) engines so equipped when the feedwater heaters were replaced with exhaust steam injectors. I do not know whether the restored engines that have the shrouds were also re-equipped with feedwater heaters or if they wear the shrouds solely for historic purposes. The casing emphasizes the already block-like profile of the K, which was designed and built to the then-current limits of NZR's loading gauge. It's a husky and brutish looking machine but it fit a lot of power into a space almost a couple feet narrower than the maximum permitted width of the D&RGW heavy mikados. Like the lighter J class, they were perfectly capable of running at and sustaining 65-70 MPH speeds in normal service, faster for bursts.

Two tank cars suggests a route without much opportunity for refills, and I notice the usual assortment of NZR coach types in the consist.