In the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-2 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles, usually in a leading bogie, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle, usually in a trailing truck. The first South African 4-6-2s were named the Karoo class, but a 4-6-2 locomotive subsequently became almost globally known as a Pacific type.
Other equivalent classifications are:
- UIC classification: 2C1 (also known as German classification and Italian classification, refined as 2′C′1′ or 2′C1′ depending on the mounting of the final axle)
- French classification: 231 (also known as Spanish classification)
- Turkish classification: 36
- Swiss classification: 3/6
- Russian classification: 2-3-1
Read more about 4-6-2: Overview