#1070

South African Class 6H 4-6-0

🇬🇧 United Kingdom ·built by Neilson and Company· from 1901· class of 21 South African 4-6-0 locomotives

4 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. Class 6H 629 (4-6-0) ex CGR 607-547: User:Leith Paxton· CC BY-SA 3.0
2. Class 6H no. 622 ID: Leith Paxton· CC BY-SA 3.0
3. SAR Class 6H 631 (4-6-0) CGR 609 CGR 549: 1930's Railway Circle (members Frank Garrison, Frank Holland, Bill Schutz and others)· Public domain
4. SAR Class 6H 631 (4-6-0) ex CGR 609-549: Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain

what is it?

The South African Railways Class 6H 4-6-0 of 1901 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope. In 1901, 21 6th Class 4-6-0 steam locomotives were placed in service by the Cape Government Railways, built to the older 6th Class designs with plate frames.

who runs it

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

base stats

built 21made 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 125 years ago, in 1901.

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

spec sheet

built: 1901
in service from: 1901
number built: 21
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
builders: Neilson and Company
designer: Cape Government Railways, (H.M. Beatty)
operators: Transnet Freight Rail, South African Railways and Harbours Administration, Cape Government Railways
top speed: —
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
wheel arrangement: 4-6-0 (Tenwheeler)

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

Sources: Wikidata Q7565568, Wikipedia: South African Class 6H 4-6-0 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.