From 1879, the Württemberg state railways had converted some of the former class E tender locomotives into two-axle shunting locomotives, but these were not entirely convincing. Therefore, a very small, four-coupled tank locomotive was commissioned for this purpose. The Heilbronn mechanical engineering company commissioned to do this had only built small locomotives for field and works railways, most of which were narrow-gauge. The Type V, which was also available in standard gauge, was further developed into the required shunting locomotive for mainline railways.

Ten engines were built between 1896 and 1904, which were given the designations T 1001 to T 1010 and differed from one another in some cases. The first locomotive originally had the designation T 1000 and did not yet have a train heater. However, since the passenger cars were also to be heated up or kept warm when shunting, all other engines were given steam heating. From the T 1004 onwards, a higher frame was installed because it was initially very low due to the small wheel diameter. In addition, the supplies were increased in several stages, since refilling also led to delays on the station premises. From the T 1005 the water tank was enlarged from 1.6 to 1.75 m³. The engines from the T 1007 even got a capacity of 2.0 m³, in addition, the coal supply was increased from 0.5 to 1.0 tonnes.

From around 1917, most of the examples were sold to various private operators. Only the T 1003 was taken over by the Reichsbahn and used as 88 7401 until 1928. There it was the smallest locomotive that was ever in stock. The T 1005 was in use at a smelting works up until the 1970s and was ultimately the last Württemberg locomotive that was still used on schedule and subsequently went to various museums.