The R (II) was the three-cylinder variant of he 4-6-0 R (I). Built for lines with inclines, the third cylinder was to improve running characteristics when running at full power or at high speeds. Inspiration for this step likely came from the Prussian S 102. The diameter of the cylinders had been reduced from 570 to 470 mm, what still led to a slightly higher starting tractive effort. Each cylinder was controlled by its own set of Walschaerts valve gear. The wheel base was increased by 450 mm to free more space for the inside cylinder. The smokebox was increased in length by the same value.
The first five were built by Borsig in 1921 and five more followed by Frichs in 1924. Like the R (I), they had a four-axle tender without bogies, but two axles with lateral play. The requirements which they had to fulfill included to haul a 400-tonne train with 50 km/h up an incline of one percent. Since they still had a narrow, deep firebox, high-grade coal had to be imported from Wales. Withdrawals of the R (II) took place between 1963 and 1973. Later, three of their tenders were rebuilt into snow ploughs.