Athelstan is based on East African Railways (E.A.R) class 24 locomotives. It is a development of Pioneer, but with a 2-8-0 wheel arrangement.
Painted in E.A.R Maroon, Athelstan is fitted with vacuum disc brakes on the tender and has the cylinders inclined at approximately 10 degrees.
Athelstan is named after the first King of England; Grandson of Alfred the Great.