These locomotives were first put into service on a mainline during the late 1900s and early 1910s by the Manila Railway Company.

Their primary purpose was to support the growing network and replace the aging Dagupan class engines.

[3][4] In 1906, this newly-formed concern built the 100 class tender locomotives based on the designs of Horace L. Higgins, who was the sole general manager of the Manila Railway.

For this reason, Higgins ordered additional 0-6-2 Branchliner-type tank locomotives from NBL in 1906, but construction and entrance to service were delayed until 1908.

[6] The locomotives were first introduced in 1908 throughout the entire Manila Railway/Railroad network and ushered in the eventual retirement of the Dagupan class.

It was hoped that it would be preserved longer, but ultimately, it was scrapped in 1961 at the MRR Caloocan Shops.

2, a 2-6-0 tender locomotive built by Baldwin, now on display in a shopping mall in Marikina, was not operational.

79 is the second of two steam locomotives that Kautzor (2006) reported to have survived in their facilities, as its former railyard was off-limits.