They were ordered from the Saalasti Oy engineering company and built between 1962 and 1964.

When the VR Class Tve1 locomotives proved to be inadequate in some lineside / traffic applications VR Group decided to order seven similar shunting locomotives from Saalasti Oy.

In 1976 VR Group acquired a further used OTSO2 locomotive, which had previously been used by Kaukas Oy Ab at Lappeenranta.

The biggest differences were that the Tve2s were heavier and more efficient Deutz AG 175 hp air-cooled diesel engine.

[3] Tve2 locomotives were used mainly in the workshops and depots as well as in public transport hubs, where Tve1's power would have been insufficient.