2-6-2

2-6-2 (Prairie)
Diagram of one small leading wheel, three large driving wheels joined with a coupling rod, and one small trailing wheel
CGR 2nd Class of 1875, the first 2-6-2
Equivalent classifications
UIC class1C1, 1'C1'
French class131
Turkish class35
Swiss class3/5
Russian class1-3-1
First known tank engine version
First use1875
CountryCape of Good Hope
LocomotiveCGR 2nd Class 2-6-2TT
RailwayCape Government Railways
DesignerRobert Stephenson and Company
BuilderRobert Stephenson and Company
BenefitsBetter stability than a mogul
First known tender engine version
First use1884
CountryNew Zealand
RailwayNew Zealand Railways Department
BuilderNasmyth, Wilson and Company
Evolved from2-6-0

Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-6-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels, six coupled driving wheels and two trailing wheels. This arrangement is commonly called a Prairie.