The locomotive specifications were prepared by Colonel F.R. Collins, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the SAR from 1922 to 1929, who designed it as a mixed traffic locomotive for use on branch lines and secondary mainlines throughout the country.
Colonel F.R. Collins, the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the SAR from 1922 to 1929, created the specifications for the locomotive. He envisioned this locomotive as a versatile model suitable for both branch line and secondary mainline operations throughout the nation.