The first of the 101 units of the NGR Class C 4-10-2T, the so-called “Reid Tenwheelers”, were moved to shunting service just ten years after they were put into service. With the tighter curves there, it was quickly noticed that the five coupled axles were an obstacle. Thus, starting in 1909, the fifth coupled axle was removed from a total of five locomotives. The resulting locomotives with the wheel arrangement 4-8-2T were still designated as Class C by the NGR.

After the formation of South African Railways, the original locomotives became the class H and the rebuilt ones became the H2. Three more were rebuilt by the SAR and also redesignated to class H2. Others were later rebuilt, but continued to be referred to as class H. In 1964, 14 of the rebuilt locomotives were still in service. A few were used in the Durban area until 1977, as they fit better under the old coaling appiances there than other steam locomotives.