Type WE tenders entered service in 1901, as tenders to the 6th Class 4-6-0 Tenwheeler type steam locomotives which were acquired by the Cape Government Railways from Schenectady Locomotive Works in that year.

These locomotives were designated Class 6G on the South African Railways in 1912.

These locomotives were designated Class 6G on the South African Railways (SAR) in 1912.

[1][2][3] The tender had a coal capacity of 5 long tons (5.1 tonnes), a water capacity of 2,800 imperial gallons (12,700 litres; 3,360 US gallons) and a maximum axle load of 8 long tons 13 hundredweight (8,789 kilograms).

[3][5] Only the Schenectady-built Class 6G locomotives were delivered new with Type WE tenders, renumbered in the SAR number range from 606 to 613.