The USRA Light and Heavy 2-8-2 designs were very successful designs, commonly called Heavy Mikados and Light Mikados. These locomotives were used by many railroads across North America.

The USRA built 625 Light Mikados, with 641 copies built after the USRA ended control. With copies, over 50 railroads used the USRA Light 2-8-2's.

There were 233 original USRA Heavy 2-8-2's built plus another 957 copies, covering 23 railroads. The USRA Heavy Mikados used pretty much the same running gear as the Light Mik's, but the boilers were 10 inches larger in diameter and they had larger cylinders as well. Tractive effort was about 10% higher for the heavy 2-8-2's. 

Features:

• BLI's models follow the original designs closely
• Railroad specific variations are not modeled on these locomotives
• Paragon3 sound & operation system featuring Rolling Thunder with authentic sounds and prototypical operation in both DC and DCC environments
• Due to insufficient boiler diameter in the USRA Mikados, these units will not have smoke units
• Factory installed engineer & fireman figures
• Locomotive composition: ABS body with die cast chassis
• Tender composition: ABS body with die cast chassis
• Couplers: (2) operating Kadee or compatible
• Compatible tracks: code 70, 83, 100 rail
• Equipped with traction tires
• Minimum operating radius: 18 in or greater