As the B Class before them were designed to push out mainline steam, the T Class were ordered with the intention of replacing steam on the Victorian branch lines. The T Class fleet would be ordered and delivered in three separate series, delivered in no less than seven separate batches. The first twenty seven locomotives were constructed by Clyde Engineering  in the form of a Bo-Bo style hood locomotive. The initial disadvantage to the class (when compared to the B Class that precluded them) was that the locomotives needed to be turned. This would quickly be rectified by the addition of a second control stand, to allow the locomotives to run in either direction.

Thirteen first series T Class would be rebuilt as the P Class in 1984/5, to modernise the Victorian passenger locomotive fleet.