The 2-6-2 Prairie Type Steam Locomotive

The 2-6-2 Prairie Type was developed from the 2-6-0 Mogul Type. Moguls were another of the early steam locomotive designs similar to the Ten-wheeler and Consolidation. Also like the 2-8-0 (Consolidation) and 4-6-0 (Ten-wheeler), the Mogul, of the 2-6-0 wheel arrangement, was developed to replace the ubiquitous American Type, which saw use all across the country on everything from freight to passenger trains.

The success of the 2-6-0 wheel arrangement came with the addition of the free swiveling “bogie” front truck originally patented by Levi Bissell in the late 1850s. After this pilot truck was attached on the Mogul it greatly increased the locomotive’s abilities to negotiate curves and the rough track conditions of the day. Also, due to the Mogul’s greater adhesion over an American Type and lower cost compared to a Ten-wheeler, with its design flaw corrected it sold quite well, particularly on short lines where money was not only tighter but also because the 2-6-0 could travel on light track due to its lightweight.

However, the 2-6-2 Prairie Type was never as successful or reliable as the Mogul, and faced many of the same instability problems as the 2-10-2 Santa Fe type encountered. Due to imbalancing (which not only caused wear on the locomotive but also the track) and slow track speeds by the 1920s many railroads began to dislike the 2-10-2. Still, many railroads wound up owning the model (around 2,200 were eventually constructed) and the United States Railroad Administration, during takeover of the nation’s railroads during World War I, used many light and heavy versions of the Santa Fe Type. Interesting, just as the 2-10-2 wheel arrangement was named for the Santa Fe Railway it also went on to own the most 2-6-2s. Even though both locomotives had significant drawbacks apparently the ATSF found them satisfactory enough to be used in daily service.

Still, even though the Prairie had many design flaws over 1,000 were eventually produced in the United States (and over 1,700 worldwide). Today, 95 of this wheel arrangement still survive, with thirteen that remain in operation (the one operational 2-6-2T can be found in California).

For more information on the Prairie Type steam locomotive consider one (or both) of the books below. Guide to North American Steam Locomotives by author George Drury includes nearly 500 pages of information on virtually all of the steam locomotive wheel arrangements and designs (including streamlined steamers) ever developed. The book is a great resource on steam locomotives and a fine reference tool; you should find it very useful.

Also, consider the book American Steam Locomotives from author Brian Solomon. While this publication does not include quite as much technical data as Guide to North American Steam Locomotives it is still a very good resource with lots of information and best of all, is loaded with photographs!