The SNCF 160 A 1 was a single freight locomotive designed by André Chapelon originally for the Paris-Orleans. The PO ordered this locomotive in 1935 when it became clear that the existing 2-10-0 locomotives could only haul 900 tonnes with 20 km/h on an incline of one percent, but the couplers could withstand 1,200 tonnes. The new locomotive had to be optimized for maximum power at low speeds and reach 30 km/h with this train weight on this grade of incline. Chapelon used the PO's series 6001 to 6070 as the basis for his rebuild, more specifically this was No. 6030. To create maximum adhesion and to carry enough weight for a more powerful boiler, he chose to add a sixth driving axle, making it the only 2-12-0 locomotive in France.