#1500

South African Class MB 2-6-6-0

🇺🇸 United States ·built by American Locomotive Company· from 1910· class of 5 South African Mallet locomotives

2 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. NGR Mallet MB(2): Anonymous Unknown author· Public domain
2. SAR Class MB 1602 (2-6-6-0) NGR 337: ALCO· Public domain

what is it?

The South African Railways Class MB 2-6-6-0 of 1910 was a articulated steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Colony of Natal. In November 1910, the Natal Government Railways placed five 2-6-6-0 Mallet articulated compound steam locomotives in service.

who runs it

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

base stats

built 5made 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 116 years ago, in 1910.
Served for 14 years (1910–1924).

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

spec sheet

built: 1910
in service from: 1910
retired: 1924
status: retired
number built: 5
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇺🇸 United States
builders: American Locomotive Company
designer: American Locomotive Company
operators: Natal Government Railways, Transnet Freight Rail, South African Railways and Harbours Administration
top speed: —
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
wheel arrangement: 2-6-6-0 (Denver)

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

Sources: Wikidata Q7565649, Wikipedia: South African Class MB 2-6-6-0 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.