The C class were ordered from Robert Stephenson and Company, Newcastle to operate services on the first railway line in Perth, which was the Eastern Railway from Fremantle to Guildford.

[1][2][3] As the Perth railway network grew it became clear that the C class had insufficient fuel capacity.

[4] The conversion of C1 was necessitated both through this insufficient capacity and also due to its having been involved in an accident in a crash on the Eastern Railway near Boya on 8 December 1885.

[5] It was recovered and transported back to the Fremantle Railway Workshops but did not re-enter service until 1887, when it emerged with its new tender.

[6] Upon completion, they were reallocated to Spencers Brook to operate services to Northam, York and Beverley.