#1551

South African Class MG 2-6-6-2

🇺🇸 United States ·built by American Locomotive Company· from 1911· class of 1 South African Mallet locomotive

what is it?

The South African Railways Class MG 2-6-6-2 of 1911 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in Transvaal. In 1911, the Central South African Railways placed an experimental Mallet articulated compound steam locomotive with a 2-6-6-2 wheel arrangement in service.

who runs it

Central South African Railways Transnet Freight Rail 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 115 years ago, in 1911.
Served for 16 years (1911–1927).

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

spec sheet

built: 1911
in service from: 1911
retired: 1927
status: retired
number built: 1
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇺🇸 United States
builders: American Locomotive Company
designer: American Locomotive Company
operators: Central South African Railways, Transnet Freight Rail, South African Railways and Harbours Administration
top speed: —
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
wheel arrangement: 2-6-6-2 (Prairie Mallet)

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

Sources: Wikidata Q17103484, Wikipedia: South African Class MG 2-6-6-2 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.