#1116

South African Class Experimental 2 2-8-0

🇺🇸 United States ·built by American Locomotive Company· from 1902· class of 1 South African 2-8-0 locomotive

1 photo from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. SAR Class Exp 2 908 (2-8-0) CGR 804: ALCO builder’s picture· Public domain

what is it?

The South African Railways Class Experimental 2 2-8-0 of 1902 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope. In 1902, the Cape Government Railways placed a single experimental 2-8-0 Consolidation type tandem compound steam locomotive in service, based on its Schenectady-built 8th Class of 1901. In 1912, when the locomotive was assimilated into the South African Railways, it was renumbered and designated Class Experimental 2.

who runs it

Transnet Freight Rail Cape Government Railways South African Railways and Harbours Administration

base stats

built 1made in total

Bars compare against all trains: 600 km/h (maglev), 1,700 seats; power, weight and number built on a log scale up to 20 MW, 1,000 t and 20,000 built.

fun facts

First built 124 years ago, in 1902.
Served for 14 years (1902–1916).

steam locomotive: Burns coal, wood or oil to boil water; the steam drives pistons that turn the wheels.

spec sheet

built: 1902
in service from: 1902
retired: 1916
status: retired
number built: 1
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇺🇸 United States
builders: American Locomotive Company
designer: Cape Government Railways, (H.M. Beatty)
operators: Transnet Freight Rail, Cape Government Railways, South African Railways and Harbours Administration
top speed: —
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
wheel arrangement: 2-8-0 (Consolidation)

From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.

Sources: Wikidata Q7565615, Wikipedia: South African Class Experimental 2 2-8-0 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.