The class 79 emerged from a competition in which a freight locomotive for the Arlberg was sought. In addition to this, the classes 76 and 78 also competed, as well as the victorious class 73. The design from Floridsdorf had a Klose supporting tender and, like all the competitors, four coupled axles. The two machines differed in that one had an inside frame and one had an outside frame. Only the 79.02 came to the BBÖ, which remained in service until 1926. 