This locomotive was built by the North British Locomotive Company at Glasgow in 1915 and entered service with the SAR as a class 12 locomotive. It was later rebuilt with a standard boiler type designed by then CME A.G. Watson as part of his standardisation policy. At the same time the locomotive was fitted with a Watson cab with its distinctive slanted fronts to facilitate access to the firebox side stays. It was also fitted with running boards which continued straight through underneath the cab. The locomotive was then reclassified as class 12R engine
tails of class 12A locomotives go to Class 12A
It is one of the few locomotives to have seen service in industry following its time with the SAR. It was employed at Umgala Colliery at Utrecht in the Northern Natal coalfields where it carried the No7.
The locomotive is privately owned and based at Creighton Station in Natal.
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