The TGR class C was a member of Beyer, Peacock's “Colonial Mogul” type that was built for mixed traffic on light rails. More of this type were built for several operators in the southern half of Australia. Features of these locomotives were a smoke box with sloping front, inclined cylinders and Stephenson valve gear. The first 19 were delivered between 1885 and 1892, followed by eight more until 1907. As late as 1937, another locomotive of the same design was bought from the Emu Bay Railway, bringing the total number of the original class C in the TGR to 28.

In 1912, the TGR rebuilt six with a larger boiler that had a Belpaire firebox and a higher pressure. They now also had larger cylinders and received the new designation CC. Four other locomotives were rebuilt with a superheated boiler and Walschaert valve gear in 1924 which became class CCS. The only one that is in working condition today is C22. After being withdrawn in 1960, it was restored twice in 1983 and 2008. Three more which are on static display are C1, CCS23 and CCS25.