Mainline Steam: The operation of historic steam locomotives on the mainline railroads of the USA.
Mainline Railroad: ex. Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific
Yes! Mainline Steam still exists in 2019!!!
Scroll Down to the Bottom of this page for Current Schedule of Mainline Steam Excursions and Events.
The following groups maintain operating steam locomotives that operate on the mainline railroads.
Mainline Excursions and Events are rare, and tickets usually sell out extremely fast.
Mainline Railroad: ex. Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific
Yes! Mainline Steam still exists in 2019!!!
Scroll Down to the Bottom of this page for Current Schedule of Mainline Steam Excursions and Events.
The following groups maintain operating steam locomotives that operate on the mainline railroads.
Mainline Excursions and Events are rare, and tickets usually sell out extremely fast.
Norfolk & Western "J" Class 4-8-4 #611 is a coal burning Steam Locomotive. N&W Roanoke | 1950.
Fire Up 611!
Virginia Museum of Transportation, in Roanoke Virginia, operates and maintains Norfolk & Western class "J" #611.
This streamlined 4-8-4 coal burning steam locomotive
was built in 1950 by the N&W Roanoke Shops.
Locomotive #611 can also be seen on display at the
Virginia Museum of Transportation throughout the year.
Schedule of operations and more information is available at:
www.FireUp611.org
Check out TrainChasers.com photos and info about chasing #611 on the NS Mainline in North Carolina by clicking here ---> PART #1 & PART #2
Virginia Museum of Transportation, in Roanoke Virginia, operates and maintains Norfolk & Western class "J" #611.
This streamlined 4-8-4 coal burning steam locomotive
was built in 1950 by the N&W Roanoke Shops.
Locomotive #611 can also be seen on display at the
Virginia Museum of Transportation throughout the year.
Schedule of operations and more information is available at:
www.FireUp611.org
Check out TrainChasers.com photos and info about chasing #611 on the NS Mainline in North Carolina by clicking here ---> PART #1 & PART #2
Union Pacific #844 is a 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive. ALCO | 1944
Union Pacific Steam
The Union Pacific Railroad maintains an active steam shop
in Cheyenne Wyoming.
Currently operational-
Union Pacific 4-8-4 #844 built by ALCO in 1944
Expected to operate in 2019-
UP 4-8-8-4 #4014 "Big Boy" built by ACLO in 1941.
Currently Stored waiting for further Restoration-
UP 4-6-6-4 #3985 "Challenger" built by ALCO in 1943
Check out more information, including restoration updates, at:
www.UPSTEAM.com
The Union Pacific Railroad maintains an active steam shop
in Cheyenne Wyoming.
Currently operational-
Union Pacific 4-8-4 #844 built by ALCO in 1944
Expected to operate in 2019-
UP 4-8-8-4 #4014 "Big Boy" built by ACLO in 1941.
Currently Stored waiting for further Restoration-
UP 4-6-6-4 #3985 "Challenger" built by ALCO in 1943
Check out more information, including restoration updates, at:
www.UPSTEAM.com
Nickel Plate 2-8-4 "Berkshire" #765.
Lima | 1944
Ft. Wayne Railroad Historical Society
Based in Ft. Wayne Indiana, the FWRHS maintains and operates Nickel Plate "Berkshire" #765.
This Coal Burning 2-8-4 Steam locomotive
was built by Lima in 1944.
The Locomotive is on Display in Ft. Wayne during "Open House" Special Events. The Locomotive typically travels to various railroads each year for Special Excursions.
Schedules, History and more information are found at:
www.FortWayneRailroad.org
Based in Ft. Wayne Indiana, the FWRHS maintains and operates Nickel Plate "Berkshire" #765.
This Coal Burning 2-8-4 Steam locomotive
was built by Lima in 1944.
The Locomotive is on Display in Ft. Wayne during "Open House" Special Events. The Locomotive typically travels to various railroads each year for Special Excursions.
Schedules, History and more information are found at:
www.FortWayneRailroad.org
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Friends of SP 4449
The Friends of 4449, based in Portland OR, maintain and operate the Southern Pacific #4449, a 4-8-4 oil burning streamlined Steam Locomotive built by Lima in 1941. When not pulling excursions, the #4449 can be seen on display at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Downtown Portland Oregon. Check out more information at: www.4449.com Check out TrainChasers.com Review and Photos of the Oregon Rail Heritage Center by clicking ---> HERE |
Southern Pacific 4-8-4 #4449. Lima | 1941.
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Spokane Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 Baldwin | 1938.
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Pacific Railroad Preservation Association Based in Portland Oregon, the Association maintains and operates the Spokane Portland & Seattle #700, a 4-8-4 oil burning steam locomotive built by Baldwin in 1938. The Association began an extensive boiler rebuild for the #700 in 2016. The locomotive is on display during this rebuild, and you can watch the progress in person at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland. Check out more information, and project updates, at: www.sps700.org Check out TrainChasers.com Review and Photos of the Oregon Rail Heritage Center by clicking ---> HERE |
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Central States Steam Preservation Association
Based in North Liberty Iowa, the Association maintains and operates Iowa Interstate #6988 & #7081. Both locomotives are coal burning 2-10-2 "QJ" type steam locomotives built by Datong Locomotive Works in China. Locomotive #7081 was built in 1986. Locomotive #6988 was built in 1985. The Locomotives operate over the Iowa Interstate Railroad for Special Events and Excusrions. Check out more information at: www.CentralStatesSteam.org |
Iowa Interstate #6988 is a 2-10-2, "QJ" type, coal burning steam locomotive.
Datong | 1985.
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Milwaukee Road #261 is a coal burning, 4-8-4 type Steam Locomotive.
ALCO | 1944
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Friends of the 261
The Friends of the 261 maintains and operates the coal fired Milwaukee Road #261 This 4-8-4 type steam locomotive was built by ALCO in 1944. The Friends of the 261, based in Minneapolis Minnesota, also maintain a fleet of matching passenger cars. The 261 typically powers Fall Foliage Excursions and the "North Pole Express" Annually. Check out schedules and information at: www.261.com Check out TrainChasers.com Review and photos of a #261 Steam Excursion by Clicking ---> HERE |
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San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society
Based in San Bernardino California, the Society maintains and operates the Santa Fe #3751, a 4-8-4 oil burning steam locomotive built by Baldwin in 1927. The Locomotive began an extensive rebuild in late 2017, so will not be operating in the 2018 Season. Check for Restoration Updates, as well as additional information and history at: www.SBRHS.org |
Santa Fe 4-8-4 #3751
Baldwin | 1927.
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We provide all schedules as information only. Be sure to contact the Railroads directly for up to date event information, schedules & ticket availability.
2019 CALENDAR OF MAINLINE STEAM OPERATIONS
As of May 23, 2019
Iowa Interstate "QJ" #6988
June 29, 2019 - "Ride the Rails" Excursion - Menlo, Iowa.
Four, Roundtrip departures from Menlo, Iowa traveling both East and West for 45 minute Roundtrips.
More information ---> www.facebook.com/MenloFireRescue/
Milwaukee Road #261
"261 Hiawatha" - Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 22, 2019 - Minneapolis, Minnesota west towards Glencoe on the former Milwaukee Road Mainline.
June 23, 2019 - Minneapolis, Minnesota towards Winthrop on the former Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway Mainline.
Tickets and more information----> 261.com/excursions/261-hiawatha/
Nickle Plate #765
"Steam in the Valley" - Akron & Independence, Ohio.
September 20, 21, & 22, 2019 - Details TBD
September 27, 28, & 29, 2019 - Details TBD
More information ----->www.cvsr.org/steam/
Norfolk & Western "J" #611
"611 Visits Strasburg - A Reunion of Steam" - Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
September 27, 28 & 29, 30, & October 4, 2019 - "A Steam Reunion" - Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
Multiple, 9 mile, 45 minute Roundtrip departures from Strasburg, PA to Paradise, PA depart each day behind N&W #611.
October 5, 6, & 7, 2019 - "Railfan Photography Extravaganza" - Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
Various Railroad Photography Events led by Photographer Pete Lerro featuring N&W #611 and N&W #475 with historic consists. On October 6 & 7, the #475 will appear as N&W #382.
October 12, 13, & 14, 2019 - "Rail & Road - A Transportation Evolution" - Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
15 Minute "Shuttle Rides" behind #611 operate throughout each day.
Hostling Tours and Whistle Blow Opportunities available for #611 and #475 during this special event.
October 19, 20, 26, & 27, 2019 - "In Cab Experiences" - Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
Engineers Seat, Firemans Seat, and Jump Seat In-Cab experiences available for #611 and #475.
For Tickets and more information for any
of the "611 Visits Strasburg" Events ----> www.strasburgrailroad.com/ride/events/fire-up-611-a-reunion-of-steam/
Union Pacific "Big Boy" #4014
July 15, 2019 - "Union Pacific Museum Special" - Omaha, Nebraska to Boone, Iowa via the UP Mainline.
Tickets and More information ----> www.uptraintix.com/index.html
