| Weight | 82t 19cwt |
| Driving Wheels | 4ft 6ins |
| Boiler Pressure | 180psi |
| Cylinders | Outside – 17in x 26in |
| Tractive Effort | 18,780lbf |
| Valve Gear | Stephenson |
The original class 6 locomotive had been designed at the Salt River works of the Cape Government Railways (CGR) in 1892 by H.M. Beatty. At the time he was the Cape Government Railways (Western System) Locomotive Superintendent.
The fourteen locomotives that were built to this design were built by Neilson, Reid and Company for the CGR in 1902.
In 1903 Neilson, Reid amalgamated with Dübs and Company and Sharp, Stewart and Company to form the North British Locomotive Company (NBL).
Four of the locomotives were numbered in the range from 537 to 540 for the Midland System of the CGR. The other ten were numbered 155, 160 and in the range from 287 to 294 for the Western System.
When the Union of South Africa was established on 31 May 1910, the three Colonial government railways (CGR, Natal Government Railways and Central South African Railways) were united under a single administration to control and administer the railways, ports and harbours of the Union. Although the South African Railways and Harbours came into existence in 1910, the actual classification and renumbering of all the rolling stock of the three constituent railways were only implemented with effect from 1 January 1912.
When these fourteen locomotives were assimilated into the SAR in 1912, they were renumbered in the range from 635 to 648 and designated class 6J.
The Class 6J has been described as the most successful of the bar-framed class 6 locomotives. The CGR placed them in service on the Cape mainline and for several years they hauled the Dining Car Express Train which left Cape Town every Wednesday morning for the Orange River Colony and Johannesburg in Transvaal, running via De Aar, Noupoort and Springfontein.
The last Class 6J locomotive was withdrawn from service in Bethlehem in 1972.
Preservation
Neilson, Reid and Company Works No 6093 – CGR 291 & SAR 641
Neilson, Reid and Company Works No 6099 – CGR 537 & SAR 645
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Preserved British Steam Locomotives 