In 1875 – 1891, Netherland Indies government through Staatsspoorwegen Railway Company has been able to build railway line in East and Central Java. That railway lines are Surabaya - Malang - Kertosono - Madiun - Solo and Yogyakarta - Maos – Cilacap. With this construction completion of both line, Batavia (Jakarta) city and Surabaya city are connected with train transportation vehicle. To serve both lines, SS buy 40 units C11 steam locomotive from Hartmann (German) factory. This locomotive was imported gradually in 1879 – 1891. To fulfill train transportation needs in South Sumatera, 7 units SS C11’s locomotive moved from Java to South Sumatera. This locomotive is use as shunting locomotive or locomotive puller for passenger/goods train in short route and flat.
Although C11 and C12 locomotive has same shape and wheel arrangement but there is technical differences. C11 steam locomotive need teak wood to boil water and moving injector pump. Steam power then used to move injector pump so it can pump water from tank to boiler. Inside boiler, combustion from fuel is used to boil water until it’s become steam with high temperature and pressure. Then steam with high pressure and temperature was channeled to move wheels.
C11 locomotive has wheel arrangement 2-6-0T and it can run until 50 km/hour and has 330 HP (Horse Power). This locomotive has 33.6 tons weight and 8575 mm length.
From 40 units C11 locomotive, today still left 1 unit C11 locomotive which is C11 40. C11 40 (start operated in 1891) display in Ambarawa Museum (Central Java).