The class 50 was developed to be able to replace the heaviest freight locomotives with low axle loading from the various state railways. With the wheel arrangement 2-10-0, it had a considerable size, but due to the axle load of only about 15 tonnes, it could be used on almost all secondary lines. The most important class to be replaced was the Prussian G 10, which was present in very large numbers. Compared to this, only one leading axle was added in order to be able to increase power despite the same axle load.