The locomotives were built from 1880 to 1883[1] by the Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques (SACM) in Belfort.[2][3]
Many constructive details of the boiler and the mechanisms were of a similar design as the preceding the Nord 2.800 class Outrance express locomotives, also a double frame chassis was used.[1][2]
The locomotives themselves also were the precursors of the Nord 3.401 to 3.512 locomotive series, with which they shared many constructive details.[1][4]
The machines were retired from service from 1932 to 1935.[1]
The locomotives had a Belpaire firebox which extended over the last driving axle and had a firebox area of 2.33 m2 (25.1 sq ft).[5]
The boiler consisted of three shells with an average diameter of 1.24 m (4 ft 7⁄8 in).
The cylinders, with a size of 432 mm × 610 mm (17 in × 24 in), were mounted in an inclined position inside of the frame and were controlled by a Stephenson valve gear.[5]