Prairie 2-6-2 steam locomotive - cb&q #2090 - N scale. In the early 1900S 2-6-2 steam locomotives began to appear along railroad lines that ran through the farms and fields of the Midwestern prairies. These engines became affectionately known as “prairies”. the 2 6 2 was developed as the first domestic freight engine with a trailing truck. Its performance at high speeds left much to be desired, however. Fortunately, the 2 6 2 found itself useful on dual service branch lines and logging lines. This N scale model boasts true to prototype body details.