For the opening of the 6.6 km (4.1 mi) long railway line from Doberan to Heiligendamm the DHE had procured two 'tramway' locomotives, which were given the numbers 1 and 2. The long section through the town in Doberan in particular made the procurement of such engines sensible. When the private railways were nationalised in 1890 the locomotives were renumbered to 1001 and 1002. Not long afterwards, it became clear that the locomotives were not able to cope with the rising levels of traffic as they could only haul a three-coach train. So in 1891 and 1898 Class XIX engines were procured. The tramway locos were retired in 1916.
The locomotives were designed as box frame engines (Kastenlokomotiven) and had an outside plate frame with a well tank. The two saturated steam engines were on the inside, and the diagonally-oriented cylinders drove the rear coupled axle. The entire running gear was covered. Suspension was provided by leaf springs over the axle boxes. The boiler was horizontal. The firehole was located on the right hand side. In order to keep the minimise the impact when driving through Doberan, exhaust steam was expelled through a condenser. The footplate was located on the right hand side and could be used for driving both forwards and backwards due to the good visibility it afforded. Reversing the Joy valve gear was achieved using a lever working a crossed eccentric rod.
