2-6-2 "Prairie" Locomotives in the USA

In 1885 six locomotives with a 2-6-2 wheel arrangement were built by Baldwin for New Zealand Railways. In October 1898 Baldwin built a 2-6-2 for the McCloud River Railroad that was similar to 2-6-2s that they built for southern loggers in the previous two years.. In 1900 Brooks built several of this type Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. They were planned to be used on the mid-western prairies. However, they did not find favor with the Class I railroads. Only 1500 Prairies were built with many of them destined for short lines.


Railroads that used 2-6-2 "Prairie" Locomotives in the USA (data provided by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media)


Surviving Examples of 2-6-2 "Prairie" Locomotives in the USA

No.ClassF.M. WhyteGaugeRailroad LineLocationStatusBuilder InfoNotes
110810502-6-24'-8½"AT&SF near Ardmore depot, Ardmore, OKdisplayBaldwin #20691, 1903
2968 (5245)2-6-224"Byron RR (U.S. Army) Norgrove Gardens, Arroyo Grande, CAstoredDavenport Locomotive Works #1700 From Monroe, WA, then Watertown, NY. Rebuilt in Creston, IA by Byron Hiatt.
72-6-236"Eureka Nevada Silverwood Theme Park, Athol, IDoperationalH.K. Porter #5724, 1915
9032-6-215" Hanson Technology Center, Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor, MIdisplayHouse of David Stored off site.
72-6-215"Redwood Valley Railway Redwood Valley Railway, Berkeley, CAoperational Named The Oak; Drive wheels were borrowed to build model of Sierra Railway #3 used in filming Back To The Future III.
109610502-6-24'-8½"AT&SF Beatty Rogers Park, Blackwell, OKdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #20579, 06/1902
1102-6-24'-8½"Cliffside (Swamp Rabbit) New Hope Valley Railway, Bonsal, NCrestorationVulcan Iron Works (Wilkes-Barre) #3738, 07/1927From Stone Mountain where is was named Yonah II.
22-6-24'-8½"Manatee Crate (Taylor Country LUmber) Manatee Historical Village, Bradenton, FLdisplayBaldwin #40861, 1913
108010502-6-24'-8½"AT&SF Santa Fe Depot, Brownwood, TXdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #20376, 1902
1002-6-24'-8½"FSMAlger-Sullivan Historical Society, Century, FLdisplayBaldwin #52261, 1919 From the Whitewater Valley Railroad, Connersville, IN.
7862-6-214"TMRJimmie Thomas Miniature Railroad, Cheraw, SCdisplay1940s
107910502-6-24'-8½"AT&SF Walter Johnson Memorial Park, Coffeyville, KSdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #20375, 1902
52-6-2T4'-8½"Coronet Phosphate Colfax Railroad Museum, Colfax, WIdisplayH.K. Porter #4874, 1911 From Annandale, MN.
42-6-236"WP&Y (Klondike Mines) South Park Rail Society, Como, COout of serviceBaldwin #37564, 1912 From the Petticoat Junction Railroad, then El Reno, OK, then Dry Gulch USA, Adair, OK, then Silver Plume, CO. Wood-fired. Out of service for boiler repairs.
2622-6-218"Snug Harbor NRHS Oregon Coast Chapter, Coos Bay, ORdisplayOscar Coffman, 1946 From Malibu, CA then the Alton & Pacific Railroad, Eureka, CA, then David Stare.
113910502-6-24'-8½"AT&SF Boot Hill Museum and Front Street, Dodge City, KSdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #21506, 1903 Displayed with builder plate (21617) from 1144.
114010502-6-24'-8½"Southern Pine Lumber (AT&SF) Louisiana National Guard Camp Minden, Doyline, LAstoredBaldwin, 1902 From Shreveport.
2435T2-6-24'-8½"NP Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth, MNrestorationAlco (Brooks) #42250, 1907Cosmetic restoration only.
12-6-218"Venice Miniature Railwayunknown, El Monte, CAstoredJohnson Machine Works (Los Angeles), 1905
101510142-6-24'-8½"AT&SF Fremont Park, Emporia, KSdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #19642, 1901
112-6-24'-8½"Everett Railroad (Morehead & North Fork) H&BT Depot, Everett, PAdisplayBaldwin #33333, 04/1909 From the Williams Grove Amusement Park, Dillsburg, PA. Used for excursions in the 1960s.
262-6-236"SS&S NJ Museum of Transportation, Farmingdale, NJdisplayBaldwin #53796, 1920
9012-6-215" NWORRP, Findlay, OHoperationalHouse of David, 1948
52-6-236"Argent Lumber Ardenwood Railroad, Fremont, CAdisplayLima #1116, 1910From the Nevada County NG Railroad Museum, Nevada City, CA.
19022-6-2ST24"USATC National Infantry Museum, Ft. Moore, GAdisplayDavenport Locomotive Works #1682, 1918
12-6-24'-8½"WBT&S Galveston Railroad Museum, Galveston, TXdisplayBaldwin #53413, 1920
252-6-24'-8½"MCR Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, Garibaldi, ORout of serviceAlco (Schenectady) #66435, 1925From the McCloud Railway Co., McCloud, CA. Appeared in 'Stand By Me' (1986 movie). Taken out of service in early January 2023. Undergoing mandated 1,472-day inspection and overhaul.
1022-6-212"WF&P Wabash, Frisco & Pacific Railroad, Glencoe, MOout of serviceTed Young, 1983Modeled after CS&CCD Railway 102; Awaiting new boiler.
12-6-24'-8½"LA Cypress Lumber Co. Roosevelt Railroad Museum (defunct), Griffin, GAprivateH.K. Porter #6663, 1921Previously owned by Warren Frye. Current location unknown.
961 ton2-6-2T4'-8½"GP Wynoochee River Gorge, Grisdale, WAsunkBaldwin #57709, 1924
72-6-24'-8½"Prescott & Northwestern (Caddo & Choctaw) Black Hills Central Railroad, Hill City, SDdisplayBaldwin #51771, 1919 Named The General Custer.
1032-6-2T4'-8½"PT Black Hills Central Railroad, Hill City, SDstoredBaldwin #55482, 1922 Used as a spare parts source for sister PT locomotive 104.
1042-6-2T4'-8½"PT Black Hills Central Railroad, Hill City, SDoperationalBaldwin #59137, 1926
452-6-24'-8½"Rayonier (Polson Logging) Polson Museum, Hoquiam, WArestorationBaldwin #27311, 01/1906From Mineral, WA.
2052-6-24'-8½"SMVenginehouse, Independence, ORoperationalBaldwin #57613, 1924info & photo Uses the tender from sister SMV locomotive 100. Restoration work started in 2006. Restored to operation in September 2021.
105010502-6-24'-8½"AT&SF Independence Riverside Park, Independence, KSdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #20132, 1902
7 (8)2-6-24'-8½"Amador Central (MCR) Police Department Park, Main St, Ione, CAdisplayBurnham, Williams #1895, 1901
42-6-24'-8½"Cypress Lumber (Lee Tidewater Cypress Co) WK&S Railroad, Kempton, PAdisassembledBaldwin #41652, 1914From Monee, IL then purchased disassembled from Hardin Southern Railroad, Hardin, KY in 2008.
102410142-6-24'-8½"AT&SF Warren Ave Park, La Junta, COdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #19684, 1901
181918002-6-24'-8½"AT&SF behind Amtrak depot, Lamar, COdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #29425, 1906
42-6-24'-8½"Fairchild & NE Laona & Northern, Laona, WIoperationalVulcan Iron Works (Wilkes-Barre) #2535, 1916
112910502-6-24'-8½"AT&SF Highway 329 & Grand Ave., Las Vegas, NMdisplayBaldwin #21306, 1902 Restoration to operation is being considered.
1A-C-A2-6-218"Timnath Northwestern John Blue Complex, Laurinburg, NCout of serviceAlex Schneider and Roger Mitchell (Loveland CO) #1, 1984From the Swetsville Zoo, Timnath, CO.
107310502-6-24'-8½"AT&SF Watson Park, Lawrence, KSdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #20333, 1902
7 (13)2-6-24'-8½"S&F (DV&RL) Travel Town Museum, Los Angeles, CAdisplayAlco (Dickson) #26264, 12/1902Originally built as a 2-6-0 type.
22-6-218"BJWRR (Venice Miniature Railway) Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, Oak Meadow Park, Los Gatos, CAoperationalJohnson Machine Works (Los Angeles), 1905
294 (47)2-6-24'-8½"Republic Steel (River Terminal) Lynnville Railroad Museum, Lynnville, TNdisplayBaldwin #59760, 1927
1052-6-24'-8½"VSP&SSRR Modoc Northern Siding, Merrill, ORstoredFred Kepner collection. Being kept by the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, Garibaldi, OR for a planned museum.
12-6-2T4'-8½"OP&E Modoc Northern Siding, Merrill, ORstoredAppeared in the movie "Emperor of the North". Fred Kepner collection. To be moved to the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, Garibaldi, OR.
1042-6-2T4'-8½"ORAMLumber Modoc Northern Siding, Merrill, ORstoredWas the back-up engine to 105 on the Verona South Park & Sunset Railroad. Fred Kepner collection. Not being offered for sale. Being kept by the Oregon Coast Scenic for a planned museum.
32-6-24'-8½"Arkansas, Louisiana & Missouri (Brown Paper Mill) Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, Monroe, LAdisplayBaldwin #60295, 12/1927 From Graphic Packaging, West Monroe; Driven into park under its own power in 1962.
82-6-24'-8½"Feather River Art Wilson Co., Mound House, NVstored operationalBaldwin #32160, 11/1907From V&T Railroad then Gold Hill. Appeared in Great American Train Rides I.
52-6-24'-8½"Nahma&No RR Nahma Township Park, Nahma, MIdisplayBaldwin #38846, 1912
22-6-24'-8½"Lee Tidewater Cypress Co (Barfield Lumber) Collier County Museum, Naples, FLdisplayBaldwin #53177, 05/1920Named The Deuce.
62-6-24'-8½"Skagit River east of N Cascades National Park, Hwy20, Newhalem, WAdisplayBaldwin #60440, 1928Last operated in early 1980s between Sedro-Woolley and Concrete.
188018002-6-24'-8½"AT&SF Military Park, Newton, KSdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #31460, 1907
112-6-24'-8½"Reader (Caddo & Choctaw) Riney-B Park, Nicholasville, KYdisplayBaldwin #58194, 01/1925 Operated until 1993.
52-6-24'-8½"Calcasieu Paper Ameristar Casino, North Kansas City, MOdisplayBaldwin #38219, 1912
2-6-22'West Tocoi & Bostwick Northeast Florida Live Steamers & Railroaders, Inc., Palm Coast, FLoperational
2 (107)2-6-24'-8½"Ventura County Orange Empire Railway Museum, Perris, CAout of serviceBaldwin #55415, 1922 Taken out of service in October 2021. Undergoing mandated 1,472-day inspection and overhaul.
112-6-24'-8½"St Joe Lumber & Exp The Centennial Bldg, Port St. Joe, FLdisplayBaldwin #45365, 1917
4 (22)2-6-24'-8½"WTCarter Lumber Reader Railroad, Reader, ARstoredBaldwin #40958, 1913 From the Reader Railroad. Later leased to the Tavares, Eustis & Gulf Railroad, Tavares, FL.
72-6-24'-8½"Long Leaf Lumber (VF&W) Reader Railroad, Reader, ARstoredBurnham, Williams #31063, 1907 Paritally dismantled.
22-6-2T4'-8½"SV&E Shasta Cascade Rail Preservation Society, Redding, CAdisplayBaldwin #32651, 1908 From Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City, NV.
101010002-6-24'-8½"AT&SF California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento, CArestorationBaldwin (Burnham) #19630, 1901Scott Special Featured in the TV series 'Death Valley Days' (1952-1970). Restoration to operating condition began in early November 2023.
1903 (233)2-6-2T4'-8½"SP (Central Pacific) California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento, CAstoredCP (Sacramento), 01/1882From the Niles Canyon Railway, Sunol, CA.
32-6-24'-8½"ST&E (Delbeer & Carson Lumber) Timber Heritage Association, Samoa, CAstoredBaldwin #55248, 01/1922From the California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento, CA.
292-6-24'-8½"Pacific Lumber Timber Heritage Association, Samoa, CAstoredBaldwin #34484, 1910From Eureka, then Timber Heritage Association, Glendale.
3 (1)2-6-236"Laurel Valley Plantation (Barker & LePine) Pacific Coast Railroad, Santa Margarita, CAprivateH.K. Porter #1790, 1897 Named Melodia, from Space City USA then Carowinds Amusement Park, Charlotte. Converted from an 0-6-2RT to 2-6-2.
122-6-215"Paradise & Pacific RR McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZdisplay
12-6-24'-8½"Brooks Scanlon Steamtown National Historic Site, Scranton, PAdisplayBaldwin #41649, 1914
12B-3-E2-6-236"GL (Kahului Railroad) Georgetown Loop RR, Silver Plume, COout of serviceBaldwin #60690, 1928 From Hawaii, then the C&TS, then Mt. Pleasant, IA, then Silverwood amusement park, Athol, ID, then Georgetown, CO. Loaned to the Midwest Central Railroad from 2012 to 2019. Returned from the MCRR and placed on temporary display in Silver Plume, CO in 2019.
182-6-24'-8½"Florida & Alabama Sioux City Railroad Museum, Sioux City, IArestorationBaldwin #52850, 01/1920 From White Sulfer Springs, MT then Pelgas Propane Co., Atlantic, IA then Freemont & Elkhorn RR, Hooper, NE.
180918002-6-24'-8½"AT&SF W Lubbock & S 8th, Slaton, TXdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #29281, 1906
52-6-24'-8½"Rosco Snyder & Pacific Scurry County Coliseum, Snyder, TXdisplayBaldwin #52918, 1920
25010-34-D2-6-24'-8½"Bonhomie & Hattiesburg Southern Edaville USA, South Carver, MAdisplayBaldwin #59239, 05/1926From WK&S, then Hobo RR, Lincoln, then Concord, NH.
9022-6-215" Michigan Flywheelers Museum, South Haven, MIrestorationHouse of David From Eden Springs Park, Benton Harbor, MI.
92-6-24'-8½"Amador Central (MCR) Age of Steam Roundhouse, Sugarcreek, OHstored serviceableBaldwin #18596, 01/1901Sold to YWRR in 1939; sold to ACRR in 1944; sold to NP&I in 1945; to Mid-Continent RR Museum in 1966; to Kettle Moraine RY and operated until 2001; purchased by Jerry Jacobson in 2015.
1082-6-24'-8½"A&NR Church St., Sulphur Springs, TXstoredBaldwin, 1920 From Reader, AR, then North Conway, NH.
302-6-24'-8½"Sierra Niles Canyon Railway, Sunol, CAstoredBaldwin #55412, 05/1922
22-6-2T4'-8½"Quincy RR Niles Canyon Railway, Sunol, CAout of serviceAlco, 1924
32-6-2T4'-8½"Robert Dollar Niles Canyon Railway, Sunol, CAoperationalAlco (Schenectady) #67544, 11/1927Traded to PLA from the Western Railway Museum, Suisun City, CA.
1002-6-24'-8½"Weyerhaeuser Central Park, Sutherlin, ORdisplayCooke Locomotive & Machine Works #62965, 1921photo & info
1032-6-24'-8½"Sumter & Choctaw RMNE Yard, Thomaston, CTstoredBaldwin #58754, 1925 From the Valley Railroad, Essex, Connecticut. To be restored.
103510142-6-24'-8½"AT&SFKaw River, Topeka, KSsunkBaldwin #19764, 1901 "Iron Horses of the Sante Fe Trail" state that these 3 locomotives sunk in the Kaw River on July 13, 1951. However, "The Santa Fe Railway and the Lost Locomotives of Topeka" state that 3167 and 1035 were found in late 1951 and 1956 and cut up for scrap.
2072-6-24'-8½"DFI Tulsa Fairgrounds, Tulsa, OKdisplayBaldwin #45549, 05/1917 A group has been formed in 2023 with the ultimate goal of making this locomotive operational.
1012-6-24'-8½"Tuskegee Illinois Railway Museum, Union, ILrestorationBaldwin #58057, 1924
92-6-2T4'-8½"Coronet Phosphate Illinois Railway Museum, Union, ILdisplayH.K. Porter #6992, 1925From Thompson Winery, Monee.
12-6-224"Rome & Fort Bull Railroad Railstar, Black Clawson, Watertown, NYstoredNolan From Erie Canal Village, Rome, NY.
106710502-6-24'-8½"AT&SF Sellers Park, Wellington, KSdisplayBaldwin (Burnham) #20268, 1902
62-6-24'-8½"CICJohn Larkin, Wells, MIrestorationBaldwin #43340, 1916
42-6-24'-8½"Long Bell Lumber Baldo Locomotive Works, Willits, CAstoredFrom Gene Autry, Melody Ranch, Newhall, CA, formerly part of the Fred Kepner collection, Merrill, OR. Slope-back tender.
72-6-2T4'-8½"Port of Olympia Roots of Motive Power, Willits, CAprivate operationalBaldwin #34666, 1910Restored to operation by the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad.
142-6-2T4'-8½"CA Western Roots of Motive Power, Willits, CArestorationBaldwin #58050, 1924 From Fort Bragg, CA.
1042-6-24'-8½"WW Cummer & Sons Cypress Florida Railroad Museum, Willow, FLdisplayBaldwin #53141, 1920From Leesburg.
162-6-24'-8½"Lee Tidewater Cypress CoClyde Schurman Machine Shop, Woodland, WAdisplayBaldwin #51871, 1919From North Lake, WI.
22-6-24'-8½"Yakutat & Southern Y&S RoW near school, Yakutat, AKdisplayLima #1057, 1907 Only successful locomotive to work for the Y&S Railroad. Worked there until 1949, before attempts to modernize motive power failed. Awaiting future cosmetic restoration.
72-6-24'-8½"Brooks Scanlon Pioneer Park Museum, Zolfo Springs, FLdisplayBaldwin #41650, 1914 May possibly be returning to Wauchula.
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