This class is undoubtedly the most famous of all the SAR main line locomotives. So popular and useful did the 15F prove to be, that a total of 255 engines were built between 1938 and 1948,making them the most numerous steam class not only on SAR but on the African continent. They were designed by the CME A.G. Watson as heavy mixed traffic locomotive, based on the Class 15E which itself had been developed from the 15CA but with long lap piston valves actuated by Walschaerts valve gear in place of the rotary cam poppet valve gear of the 15E.Engines 2901 to 2922 were all hand fired. Engine 2923 was fitted with a mechanical stoker by the builders but 2924 to 2966 arrived without stokers and were later fitted with them by SAR. The later batches were all mechanically stoked from new.In later years many of these engines reverted to hand firing as this was more convenient for shunting duties. Since the demise of the Class 23 many 15F's were fitted with EW type 12 wheel tenders from the 23's giving additional coal and water capacity compared with the original ET type. These locomotives are also fitted with smoke deflectors and are quite at home on most duties. They have hauled all the SAR's crack expresses including the Blue Train. However heavy overhauls of the class continued until October 1988. Other than mine lease contract and special train working all locomotives have been withdrawn. No. 2916 has been converted to oil burning.

Builder's Details
2902 - 2908	Berliner Maschinenbau AG	10820 - 10826	1938
2909 - 2922	Henschel & Son	23932 - 23945	1938
2923 - 2966	North British Loco Co	24463 - 24506	1939
2967 - 2996	Beyer, Peacock & Co	7082 -7111	1944
2997 - 3056	North British Loco Co	25536 - 25595	1944/45
3057 - 3156	North British Loco Co	25941 - 26040	1946/7

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