The South African Railways Class Experimental 2 2-8-0 of 1902 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1902, the Cape Government Railways placed a single experimental 2-8-0 Consolidation type tandem compound steam locomotive in service, based on its Schenectady-built 8th Class of 1901.

In a tandem compound engine, each pair of high- and low-pressure cylinders drove a common crosshead, connecting rod and crank.

In addition, as a result of high levels of condensation, the low-pressure cylinders were inefficient since the drain cocks had to be opened frequently enough to detract from the locomotive’s otherwise good performance.

[1][2] Comparative tests were carried out between the Tandem Compound and a similar simplex locomotive, and showed no economy in fuel consumption.

Subsequent events showed that no real overall economy is obtainable from compound locomotives under South African conditions when all costs, including those of repairs and maintenance, are taken into account.

[1][2] The locomotive was placed in service on the lower section of the Cape mainline, where it was used with limited success until it was converted to simplex steaming.