A tank locomotive for passenger trains had already been developed with the Prussian T 18, which could reach speeds of 100 km/h in both directions. The class 62 was developed as part of the standard program in order to have a powerful locomotive of this type also for main lines with terminal stations. It was also given the symmetrical wheel arrangement 4-6-4, but was heavier with an axle load of 20 tonnes and achieved a significantly higher output than the T 18.

In 1928, 15 of these locomotives were built in typical standard design. They were superheated two-cylinder simples which achieved an indicated output of 1,680 hp. In order to improve running characteristics on longer runs, they were fitted with driving wheels with a diameter of 1,750 mm and were therefore 10 cm larger than those of their prototype.

Since the Reichsbahn apparently had too few lines in 1928 on which the class 62 could play to its strengths and their unit price was felt to be too high, only two were taken over that year. Finally, in 1932, the remaining 13 were taken over. Their tasks were, for example, the line on the river Werra or metropolitan areas with shorter sections and terminal stations.

After the end of the war, all locomotives were still in service. Seven of them now came to the west and eight to the east. As was usual in the Bundesbahn for rare types, the class 62 was not to be kept in stock for long and was therefore withdrawn by 1956.

In the Reichsbahn, most of the locomotives were located in the north. Some of them were later given multiple controls so that they could be used with the modern double-deck coaches. In 1970 there were still three of them, these were retired by 1972.