Instead, enthusiasts purchased one at the scrap market rate of NZ$1500 (equal to $22,200 in December 2008 dollars). KB 968 was supposed to be cut up the week following its last excursion, but a collection on the return journey was sufficient to temporarily save the locomotive.
Instead of being scrapped, enthusiasts purchased KB 968 at a scrap market price of NZ$1500 (which is equivalent to $22,200 in December 2008 dollars). The plan was to dismantle it the week after its last journey, but donations collected during the return trip saved it.