The East London Harbour 0-4-0VB of 1873 was a South African steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope.

East London Harbour was surveyed by Sir John Coode in 1870 and breakwater construction began in 1872, under the supervision of resident engineer William Lester.

The first of four stone quarries to supply rock for the construction of the breakwaters was opened in June 1872 and made use of convict labour and oxen-drawn rail trucks.

[2] The wide 7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm) Brunel gauge track was used during breakwater construction at both East London and Table Bay harbours to make it easier to drop rock from the wagons between the rails, which were run out to sea on a timber framework.

It was ordered from Alexander Chaplin & Co. in Glasgow and, even though it arrived on 2 July 1873, it was only placed in service on 17 August 1874 when it was used for passenger rides on the first day, before being put to construction work.