They were named John Taylor, Juanita and Jackal respectively and, like the earlier 0-6-0T locomotives, they were operated with tenders due to the scarcity of water along the line.

[1] The condensing equipment was mounted overhead in a roof-like frame and consisted of copper coils which formed an atmospheric radiator.

Condensed steam was fed back for re-use into the large water tank underneath the locomotive's copper boiler.

1, named John Taylor after a director of the Cape Copper Mining Company, was built in 1886 with Kitson works number T198.

It was delivered in mid-1886 and commenced trial runs in July 1886 before entering service on the 22-mile long (35-kilometre) section from Port Nolloth to Abbevlaack in August 1886.

3, named Jackal, built in 1888 with Kitson works number T234, was delivered in December of that year and entered service in January 1889.

[1] As a result of the poor quality of water in the region and tough working conditions, the three locomotives suffered major problems with their fireboxes and tubes and replacements were required fairly frequently.