#1170

South African Class 6Y 2-6-2

🇬🇧 United Kingdom ·built by Kitson and Company· from 1903· class of 2 South African 2-6-2 locomotives

3 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. SAR Class 6Y (2-6-2): 1930's Railway Circle (members Frank Garrison, Frank Holland, Bill Schutz and others)· Public domain
2. Class 6Y no. 712 : Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain
3. CGR Class 6Y 2-6-2 at Three Sisters : Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain

what is it?

The South African Railways Class 6Y 2-6-2 of 1903 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope. In 1903, the Cape Government Railways placed two 6th Class steam locomotives with a 2-6-2 Prairie type wheel arrangement in service.

who runs it

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

base stats

built 2made 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 123 years ago, in 1903.
Served for 31 years (1903–1934).

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

spec sheet

built: 1903
in service from: 1903
retired: 1934
status: retired
number built: 2
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
builders: Kitson and 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: 2-6-2 (Prairie)

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

Sources: Wikidata Q7565572, Wikipedia: South African Class 6Y 2-6-2 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.