The line from Port Nolloth on the West Coast to the copper mines around O'okiep was initially exclusively mule-powered, but in 1871 the first steam locomotives named John King and Miner were acquired by the mining company.

[1][2] In 1904, a single 0-4-2IST locomotive named Caledonia was acquired from Dick, Kerr & Company of Kilmarnock in Scotland.

The locomotive was an oil-burner and used outside mounted Morton's valve gear.

Apart from being named, it was also numbered 11 on the Cape Copper Company locomotive roster.

On 28 June it entered service on trial running and on 20 July 1904 it was allocated to O'okiep, where it relieved the mules from shunting work.