In 1917, the South African Railways placed at least four 2-8-2 Mikado type steam locomotives in service.

They had been built for the Chemins de Fer du Bas Congo à Katanga (BCK) in the Belgian Congo and were obtained on temporary lease to alleviate the critical shortage of locomotives as a result of the First World War's disruption of locomotive production in Europe and the United Kingdom.

Like many other Central African locomotives of the day, they were wood-burners and some modifications were required to adapt them to coal-burning on the SAR.

The required engine brake gear was designed in the Pretoria drawing office and manufactured in the Salvokop workshops.

The superheated engines survived to the end of steam in the Congo in the early 1970s, being employed on both shunting and line working.