The second K class

A series of 11 4-6-2 locomotives built in 2 batches by Beyer-Peacock and Robert Stephenson. They had 8-wheel bogie tenders.

The first 7 locomotives were supplied by Beyer-Peacock in 1927 for use on the East Coast line and they duly moved there when it opened the following year. They were essentially an improved version of the L class. Further improvement were made on the second batch supplied by Robert Stephenson in 1930. I have seen a report that several were sent to Siam by the Japanese during WWII but this is not recorded in Ramaer's book which "quotes" the full list. Since the East Coast line was dismantled by the Japanese it is quite likely that any locomotives at the northern end which had been captured would have been taken out across the border. It may be that Ramaer has only quoted those which were used on the Burma line, the K's being too heavy for that line. The first batch were all withdrawn in 1958/9, the second batch surviving to the late 60's/early 70's.

Below: in order FMSR 153, FMSR 158, FMSR 159 plus another unidentified K, FMSR 159 and FMSR 161. All 5 photographs reproduced with permission from the Stephenson Locomotive Society, they are thought to be from the H M le Fleming collection.

Maker	Number	Date	Original Railway / No		MR No.	Notes
Beyer-Peacock	6373	1927	F.M.S.R.	154	541.02
Beyer-Peacock	6374	1927	F.M.S.R.	157	541.05	Reportedly taken to Siam by Japanese.
Beyer-Peacock	6375	1927	F.M.S.R.	153	541.01	Reportedly taken to Siam by Japanese.
Beyer-Peacock	6376	1927	F.M.S.R.	155	541.03	Reportedly taken to Siam by Japanese.
Beyer-Peacock	6377	1927	F.M.S.R.	156	541.04
Beyer-Peacock	6378	1927	F.M.S.R.	158	541.06
Beyer-Peacock	6379	1927	F.M.S.R.	159	541.07
Robert Stephenson	4013	1929	F.M.S.R.	151	542.01	Reportedly taken to Siam by Japanese.
Robert Stephenson	4014	1929	F.M.S.R.	152	542.02	Reportedly taken to Siam by Japanese.
Robert Stephenson	4015	1929	F.M.S.R.	160	542.03	Reportedly taken to Siam by Japanese.
Robert Stephenson	4016	1929	F.M.S.R.	161	542.04

Leading particulars:
Wheel arrangement:	4-6-2 with 8-wheel bogie tender.	Boiler pressure:	180 lbs, superheated.
Fire grate:	24.6 sq. feet.	Heating surface:	1,445 (1,316)² sq. feet.
Fuel capacity:	7 tons.	Water capacity:	2,500 gallons.
Max. axle load:	12.75 tons.	Fixed wheel-base:	9 feet 11 in.

Variable particulars:
Introduced	Class	Numbers	Cylinders (2)	Tractive effort	Loco weight	Tender weight	Overall length
1926	K¹ (541)	153 - 159 541.01 - 541.07	17" x 24"	19,645	55.5	35.7875	56' 4"
1930	K² (542)	151, 152, 160, 161 542.01 - 542.04	17" x 24"	19,645	57.3	35.7875	56' 4"

Unclassified	A & B classes	A² class	C¹ class
Burma E and O	C² class	D class	E class
F class	G class	H class	I class
J class	K¹ class	K² class	L class
M class	O class	P class	Mallet
Q class	R class	S class	T class
WWII	Sentinel	WD class