South African type XE tender

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The South African type XE tender is a steam locomotive tender that was rebuilt from the older Type XC1 tenders. The rebuild gave the tenders a larger water tank and a bigger coal bunker, giving more range between refueling.

Origins and history
- The original CGR 6th Class locomotive and tender were designed at Salt River works in Cape Town in 1892, under Western System Locomotive Superintendent H. M. Beatty.
- In 1897–1898, a third batch of 6th Class locomotives entered service, later known as SAR Class 6B (in 1912). The Type XC1 tenders served these locomotives, and also those of OVGS 6th Class L3 (SAR Class 6E).
- The XC1 tenders were built by Dübs and Company, Neilson and Company, and Sharp, Stewart and Company.
- From about 1925, the SAR rebuilt several XC1 tenders by adding a new upper structure, creating the Type XE. The goal was a more modern look and larger capacity.

Specifications and features
- Configuration: 2-axle bogies
- Gauge: Cape gauge, 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
- Length: 23 ft 9 1/8 in (7,242 mm)
- Wheel diameter: 34 in (864 mm)
- Wheelbase: 16 ft 1 in (4,902 mm); bogie wheelbase 4 ft 7 in (1,397 mm)
- Fuel: Coal
- Fuel capacity: 8 long tons (8.1 t)
- Water capacity: 2,850 imperial gallons (13,000 L)
- Stoking: Manual
- Couplers: Initially Drawbar & Johnston link-and-pin; later Drawbar & AAR knuckle (in the 1930s)

Usage and classifications
- The XE was used with SAR locomotives of Classes 6B and 6E.
- SAR numbers for the XE tenders included 490–540 and 598–603.
- The SAR tender classification system uses the first letter to show compatible locomotive classes (X), the second letter to show water capacity (E, about 2,800–2,855 gallons), and any following number to indicate small differences in function, wheelbase, or coal capacity.