In Whyte notation, the common type name for a 2-8-2 steam locomotive is Mikado.
The notation records wheel arrangement: two leading wheels on one axle, eight coupled driving wheels on four axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle. The arrangement gave locomotives substantial adhesive weight and a large firebox, making it especially useful for heavy freight and mountainous routes.
The name Mikado came from an early group of 2-8-2 locomotives built for Japan. The term became widely used in North America, while “Mikado” and “MacArthur” have both appeared in railway terminology. In many contexts, the neutral wheel-arrangement name 2-8-2 is preferred, but Mikado is the standard quiz answer.
The alternatives describe different arrangements: Consolidation is 2-8-0, Atlantic is 4-4-2, and Pacific is 4-6-2. A 2-8-2 should also not be confused with an articulated “Double Mikado,” which combines two 2-8-2 power units.