#1664

South African Class MC1 2-6-6-0

🇬🇧 United Kingdom ·built by North British Locomotive Company· from 1913· class of 15 South African Mallet locomotives

3 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. Class MC1 no. 1642: Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain
2. Class MC1 (2-6-6-0): Samuel Kock· Public domain
3. SAR Class MC1 1635 (2-6-6-0): Probably Frank Holland of the 1930's Railway Circle (members Frank Garrison, Dr Eric Manken, Arthur Arnold, Frank Holland, Bill Schutz and others)· Public domain

what is it?

The South African Railways Class MC1 2-6-6-0 of 1914 was a steam locomotive. In 1914 the South African Railways placed fifteen Class MC1 Mallet articulated compound steam locomotives with a 2-6-6-0 wheel arrangement in service.

who runs it

Transnet Freight Rail South African Railways and Harbours Administration

base stats

built 15made 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 113 years ago, in 1913.
Served for 23 years (1914–1937).

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

spec sheet

built: 1913–1914
in service from: 1914
retired: 1937
status: retired
number built: 15
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
builders: North British Locomotive Company
designer: North British Locomotive Company
operators: 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 Q7565650, Wikipedia: South African Class MC1 2-6-6-0 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.