WAGR official photo of K11067 (RHWA collection)

In 1927 a new class of all steel open wagon appeared in Western Australia. It was given the redundant K class code previously used for ballast wagons although why it was not given a code in the G class group is not clear. A total of 375 wagons of this type were constructed in 1927/8 numbered as follows: 1927 - 10161-10701, 1928 - 10702-10870, 10984-11103. A further 45 were built for the M.R.W.A. as P 420-429 (illustrated below).

The WAGR outline diagram is shown below.

In 1931/2 a total of 120 K class wagons were fitted with wooden extensions to the sides and tarpaulin rails for wheat traffic. They were then reclassified KW as follows:

In 1935 nine wagons (10683, 10702, 10739, 10740, 10746, 10821, 10862, 10985, 11042) were converted to carry two cement containers by removing the sides and ends. They became class KC. They were all reconverted to K class standard in 1941.

In 1936 K class wagons formed the basis for the JK class tankers. In this conversion the doors were plated over and a wooden roof fitted. This class existed for some time and conversions to and from JK are as listed below. In the early years the same wagons seem to have been involved each time and it may be that they ran as class K with sealed sides and no doors. From 1951 such wagons were classified KC (again) and used for coal traffic. Some wagons were converted from JK to KC rather than back to class K.

10628, 11036 JK to K

10617, 10627, 10632, 10634, 10639, 10643, 10650, 10661, 10665, 10675, 10688, 10696, 10726, 10727, 10742, 10745, 10750, 10754, 10759, 10761, 10763, 10772, 10775, 10779, 10794, 10814, 10818, 10823, 10835, 10863, 10867, 10868, 10986, 10988, 10995, 11001, 11003, 11032, 11035, 11041, 11042, 11049, 11051, 11053, 11055, 11056, 11057, 11058, 11060, 11067, 11080, 11085, 11088, 11083  JK to K 

10617, 10626, 10635, 10675, 10716, 10733, 10745, 10761, 10772, 10775, 10779, 10794, 10814, 10818, 10823, 10838, 10850, 10858, 10863, 10995, 11001, 11003, 11041, 11042, 11049, 11053, 11056, 11057, 11060, 11067, 11071, 11088 K to JK

In 1937/8 twenty wagons were converted to carry lime sand and reclassified KL. The wagons involved were 10843 (in 1937) and 10636, 10662, 10698, 10700, 10712, 10736, 10748, 10765, 10790, 10808, 10826, 10848, 10865, 10992, 11031, 11039, 11046, 11054, 11103 (in 1938). This conversion involved wooden side extensions and a ridgepole and was similar to the KW conversion. One of these wagons reverted to class K (number 10843 in 1961).

In 1938 a number of wagons were temporarily fitted with crate floors to carry lambs and reclassified KS. This process was repeated in 1939 and 1940. The wagons involved were:

10635, 10637, 10641, 10663, 10679, 10708, 10715, 10726, 10742, 10769, 10773, 10775, 10793, 10801, 10806, 10833, 10836, 10842, 10869, 10986, 10987, 10995, 10998, 11036, 11047 K to KS

11002, 11101 KC to K

10995, 11079 written off

10830, 10862 to JETTY 320, 324. Two others to JETTY 318, 319

10998 written off

Frank Stamford's photo shows K11051 at Geraldton in February 1966.