#2486

South African Class 20 2-10-2

🇿🇦 South Africa ·built by Transnet Freight Rail· from 1935· class of 1 South African 2-10-2 locomotive

5 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. SAR Class 20 2485 (2-10-2): Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain
2. SAR Class 20 2485 (2-10-2) Condenser: Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain
3. Class 20 no. 2485 (2-10-2): Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain
4. Class 20 no. 2485 (2-10-2) condenser: Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain
5. Class 20 2485 (2-10-2) Playing Cards: SAR Museum· Public domain

what is it?

The South African Railways Class 20 2-10-2 of 1935 was a steam locomotive. In 1935, the South African Railways placed one Class 20 steam locomotive with a 2-10-2 Santa Fe type wheel arrangement in service, designed and built at its Pretoria Mechanical Shops. In 1950, it was modified to an experimental condensing locomotive.

who runs it

South African Railways and Harbours Administration

base stats

built 1made 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 91 years ago, in 1935.
Served for 23 years (1935–1958).

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

spec sheet

built: 1935
in service from: 1935
retired: 1958
status: retired
number built: 1
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇿🇦 South Africa
builders: Transnet Freight Rail
designer: South African Railways, (A.G. Watson)
operators: South African Railways and Harbours Administration
top speed: —
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
wheel arrangement: 2-10-2 (Santa Fe)
nicknames: Trapsuutjies

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

Sources: Wikidata Q2204902, Wikipedia: South African Class 20 2-10-2 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.