K

Keep
The lower part of an axlebox which contains an oil reservoir.

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
A standard gauge preserved railway in Yorkshire.

Kent & East Sussex Railway (1)
This line was one of the first incorporated under the Light Railways Act in 1896. It provided a connection between two main line routes of the South Eastern Railway, covering 24 miles. It became part of the Southern Railway at the 1923 grouping.

Kent & East Sussex Railway (2)
A standard gauge preserved railway based upon the original K&ESR.

Kerr Stuart & Co Ltd
Locomotive builders based in Stoke on Trent. They were taken over by Hunslets in 1930.

Key
Used to lock the rail to its supporting chairs. For bullhead rail a wooden, or metal, wedge is hammered between the outside edge of the rail and chair. For flat bottom rail a sprung steel link is used to hold the flat bottom to the chair.

Key staff
A staff which incorporates a key for unlocking a points operating mechanism in the middle of a single-line section of track.

Kingpin
The pivot point of a bogie.

King post
Where each side brace of a vehicle underframe consists of two diagonal ties connected to a single vertical post, the post is called the "king post". (see also queen posts).

Kirtly, Matthew
The first Locomotive Superintendent of the Midland Railway. Born 1813. Died 1873.

Kitson & Co
Locomotive builders in Leeds.

Kylchap blast-pipe
A type of steam-locomotive blast-pipe in which the steam jet is split into four streams, and then passed into the chimney via a petticoat pipe divided into four parts.