#2085

South African Class FD 2-6-2+2-6-2

🇿🇦 South Africa ·built by North British Locomotive Company· from 1925· class of 4 South African modified Fairlie locomotives

🚂 steam locomotive steam retired

1 photo from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. Class FD (2-6-2+2-6-2): Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain

Read about it on Wikipedia ↗

what is it?

The South African Railways Class FD 2-6-2+2-6-2 of 1926 was an articulated steam locomotive. In 1926, the South African Railways placed four Class FD Modified Fairlie articulated steam locomotives with a 2-6-2+2-6-2 Double Prairie type wheel arrangement in service.

who runs it

South African Railways and Harbours Administration

base stats

built 4made 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 101 years ago, in 1925.
Served for 23 years (1926–1949).

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

spec sheet

built: 1925
in service from: 1926
retired: 1949
status: retired
number built: 4
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇿🇦 South Africa
builders: North British Locomotive Company
designer: North British Locomotive Company
operators: South African Railways and Harbours Administration
top speed: —
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
wheel arrangement: 2-6-2+2-6-2 (Double Prairie)

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

Sources: Wikidata Q1650723, Wikipedia: South African Class FD 2-6-2+2-6-2 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.