This locomotive was originally built as a class 5 locomotive by Vulcan Foundry at Newton le Willows in Lancashire in 1912 for the South African Railways (SAR).
For details of class 5 locomotives go to Class 5R
During 1935 the locomotive was reboilered with a Watson Standard no. 1 boiler and reclassified to class 5R. During the reboilering process, the engine was also equipped with a superheater and underwent several other modifications. It was fitted with larger bore cylinders similar to those of the class 15B, with piston valves and by-pass valves. The diameter of the coupled wheels was increased from 61 to 62. Their original boilers were fitted with Ramsbottom safety valves, while the Watson Standard boiler was fitted with Pop safety valves. Even though the boiler pressure setting of the reboilered engine was lowered from 200 to 190psi, the tractive effort increased from 24,860 to 25,750 lbf.
The other three class 5 locomotives were withdrawn from service in 1942 but this locomotive remained in service until 1969.
During its latter time in service it was employed on suburban service in Cape Town hauling the Strand Express between Cape Town and Bellville.
When the Strand line was electrified in the mid-1960s the locomotive was transferred to the Eastern Transvaal System for a short spell as a shunting engine at Nylstroom and on services between Naboomspruit and Nylstroom. It was then transferred to Capital Park in Pretoria where it acted as shed pilot to move engines around the depot.
From there, it was transferred to the Western Transvaal System and briefly stationed at Springs on the East Rand from where it worked the passenger service to Nigel. It spent its last years in service as station pilot at Germiston until it was withdrawn in 1969.
After withdrawal from service, it was returned to the Salt River Shops in Cape Town for use in the training of apprentice fitters, until it was moved to De Aar to be maintained for preservation.
The locomotive is owned by the Transport Heritage Foundation (THF) and is part of the National Collection and believed to be at the Krugersdorp Locomotive Depot.
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