With increasing train weights around the turn of the century, the Saxon State Railways had to find the best design for a powerful express locomotive. The requirements included that a train of 385 tonnes had to be hauled at 100 km/h. Support was found at SACM in Alsace where the 2.461 series was designed for the Nord at the same time.

Since this was a De Glehn four-cylinder Atlantic, the Saxon X V was also built in the same layout. It was the first four-cylinder compound express locomotive in Germany and influenced many later express locomotives in Germany. It had drivers of 1.980 mm, a Belpaire firebox and a wind cutter cab. The maximum power over short time was 1,350 hp and light trains could be hauled at 125 km/h.

After the first two locomotives in 1900, seven more were built in 1902 and six in 1903. All came from Sächsische Maschinenfabrik Hartmann in Chemnitz. For the most time, they were used in express service on the line Leipzig-Dresden-Děčín and between Leipzig and Hof. The Reichsbahn inherited all 15 and numbered them 14 201 to 14 215. All were withdrawn in 1925 and 1926.