“Lincoln” and “Washington.”

In 1877 several engines were imported from America to run the proposed express trains. Two of these engines, K87 and K88 (the first imported), were named “Lincoln” and “Washington,” respectively. The builders of these engines (Rogers Locomotive Works), supplied the Department with six similar engines, but the latter were not named. About the same time four engines were imported for the Southland lines. Two of these (M89 and M90), were transferred to the Canterbury section, one being named “Mazeppa,” and the other “Corsair.” The class M engines, which were originally of the 0-6-0 type, were afterwards rebuilt (with a different wheel arrangement), so that they might run on the lighter lines. However, in the repainting of the engines their names were not retained. (These particular engines were subsequently running in the Hawke's Bay district.) It is understood the names of the original K class engines were picked out in nickel studs on the panels of the cab. If this be so, and the engines are still running with the original cabs, the names are probably still in existence.