In 1929, the South African Railways acquired a single self-contained steam railmotor for low-volume passenger service.

During the years since its establishment in 1910, several petrol-driven railmotors had been placed in low-volume passenger service by the South African Railways (SAR).

In 1928, despite its declared preference for petrol-engine railcars, the Railways Administration decided to acquire a single experimental steam railmotor.

[1][2] An order for one steam railmotor was placed with Clayton Carriage and Wagon in June 1928, at a purchase price of £4,780 plus £65 for a spare geared wheelset.

The railmotor was initially placed in service on the Milnerton line for a brief period and often operated with a passenger carriage in tow.