#1075

South African Class 8X 2-8-0

🇺🇸 United States ·built by Schenectady Locomotive Works· from 1901· class of 16 South African 2-8-0 locomotives

2 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. SAR Class 8X 894 (2-8-0): Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain
2. SAR Class 8X 882 (2-8-0): 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 8X 2-8-0 of 1901 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope. In 1901 and 1902, the Cape Government Railways placed sixteen 8th Class 2-8-0 Consolidation type steam locomotives in service.

who runs it

Cape Government Railways South African Railways and Harbours Administration

base stats

built 16made 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.
Served for 49 years (1901–1950).

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

spec sheet

built: 1901–1902
in service from: 1901
retired: 1950
status: retired
number built: 16
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇺🇸 United States
builders: Schenectady Locomotive Works, American Locomotive Company
designer: Cape Government Railways, (H.M. Beatty)
operators: Cape Government Railways, South African Railways and Harbours Administration
top speed: —
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
wheel arrangement: 2-8-0 (Consolidation)

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

Sources: Wikidata Q7565597, Wikipedia: South African Class 8X 2-8-0 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.