Due to an urgent need for locomotives, the Alsace–Lorraine Imperial Railways turned to other manufacturers in 1874. So they ordered 16 2-4-0 passenger locomotives from Kitson at Leeds and 26 from Esslingen. Originally, the British locomotives were designated A 8 and the German locomotives were designated A 9. In the system introduced in 1906, they were renamed P 2.
They had a raised Belpaire firebox, a huge steam dome and a capuchon chimney with a lip on the forward edge. Originally they only had a Ricour type steam brake, but got air brakes later. Despite a driver diameter of only 5 ft 9 in (1,752 mm), they were also used in express service. Their withdrawals started in World War I and were completed by 1920.