The Double Fairlie was the first articulated locomotive to enter service in South Africa and also the first to have Walschaerts valve gear, which had been invented in 1844 by Belgian locomotive foreman Egide Walschaerts.
The locomotive which was acquired by the CGR was of the separate boiler type.
It had two boiler barrels, with a central firebox common to both barrels and fired from the side.
The buffing and drawgear were fitted on the two engine units.
The pivots were located under the two boiler saddles and were carried on centre bearings which formed part of the engine unit frames.

The steam pipes were routed across the front tube-plates into fittings which formed a prolongation of the bottom part of the smokeboxes.
From there, steam passed through a swivelling and sliding joint to the cylinders.
The exhaust pipes back to the smokeboxes were equipped with ball and socket joints.

Due to its uncomfortable and cramped cab, the locomotive was unpopular with the crews.
The side-fired central firebox resulted in very cramped workspace for the fireman.
Since the driver worked isolated on the other side of the firebox, the men would be unable to reach each other in the event of an emergency.
In addition, the fireman could only clean the grate while the engine was stopped.
The Double Fairlie was the first articulated locomotive to enter service in South Africa and also the first to have Walschaerts valve gear, which had been invented in 1844 by Belgian locomotive foreman Egide Walschaerts. The locomotive which was acquired by the CGR was of the separate boiler type. It had two boiler barrels, with a central firebox common to both barrels and fired from the side. The buffing and drawgear were fitted on the two engine units. The pivots were located under the two boiler saddles and were carried on centre bearings which formed part of the engine unit frames.
The steam pipes were routed across the front tube-plates into fittings which formed a prolongation of the bottom part of the smokeboxes. From there, steam passed through a swivelling and sliding joint to the cylinders. The exhaust pipes back to the smokeboxes were equipped with ball and socket joints.
Due to its uncomfortable and cramped cab, the locomotive was unpopular with the crews. The side-fired central firebox resulted in very cramped workspace for the fireman. Since the driver worked isolated on the other side of the firebox, the men would be unable to reach each other in the event of an emergency. In addition, the fireman could only clean the grate while the engine was stopped.
CGR Fairlie 0-6-0+0-6-0