The largest, biggest, and most powerful steam locomotives operating in the USA!
Here is a list of the 5 largest steam trains currently in operation as of 2020.
"Largest" for this list is determined on locomotive weight.
Be sure to check out Mainline Steam for more information on these and other large steam locomotives operating in the United States. (Hint - There are 2 locomotives on that list that are currently being rebuilt that will take the #4 & #5 position when they are returned to operation.)
Here we go! -
Here is a list of the 5 largest steam trains currently in operation as of 2020.
"Largest" for this list is determined on locomotive weight.
Be sure to check out Mainline Steam for more information on these and other large steam locomotives operating in the United States. (Hint - There are 2 locomotives on that list that are currently being rebuilt that will take the #4 & #5 position when they are returned to operation.)
Here we go! -
5. Milwaukee Road #261
Built by ALCO - Schenectady in 1944.
#261 is a 4-8-4 Northern type Steam Locomotive with 74" driving wheels.
Now owned and operated by the Friends of the 261 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Steam Locomotive #261 weighs in at 460,000 lbs. (1)
Built by ALCO - Schenectady in 1944.
#261 is a 4-8-4 Northern type Steam Locomotive with 74" driving wheels.
Now owned and operated by the Friends of the 261 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Steam Locomotive #261 weighs in at 460,000 lbs. (1)
4. Southern Pacific "Daylight" #4449
Built by Lima Locomotive Works in 1941 for the Southern Pacific Railroad.
#4449 is a 4-8-4 steam locomotive with 80" driving wheels.
Owned by the City of Portland, Oregon; maintained and operated by the Friends of SP 4449, and on public display at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland, Oregon.
Steam Locomotive #4449 weighs in at 475,000 lbs. (2)
Built by Lima Locomotive Works in 1941 for the Southern Pacific Railroad.
#4449 is a 4-8-4 steam locomotive with 80" driving wheels.
Owned by the City of Portland, Oregon; maintained and operated by the Friends of SP 4449, and on public display at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland, Oregon.
Steam Locomotive #4449 weighs in at 475,000 lbs. (2)
3. Union Pacific #844
Built by ALCO - Schenectady in 1944 as the last steam locomotive built for the Union Pacific. #844 is a 4-8-4 steam locomotive with 80" driving wheels.
Owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad and based in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Steam Locomotive #844 weighs in at 486,340 lbs. (3)
Built by ALCO - Schenectady in 1944 as the last steam locomotive built for the Union Pacific. #844 is a 4-8-4 steam locomotive with 80" driving wheels.
Owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad and based in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Steam Locomotive #844 weighs in at 486,340 lbs. (3)
2. Norfolk and Western "J" #611
Built by the Norfolk & Western Roanoke Shops in 1950.
#611 is a 4-8-4 steam locomotive with 70" driving wheels.
Now owned by the Roanoke Transportation Museum in Roanoke, Virginia.
Steam Locomotive #611 weighs in at 494,000 lbs. (4)
Built by the Norfolk & Western Roanoke Shops in 1950.
#611 is a 4-8-4 steam locomotive with 70" driving wheels.
Now owned by the Roanoke Transportation Museum in Roanoke, Virginia.
Steam Locomotive #611 weighs in at 494,000 lbs. (4)
1. Union Pacific "Big Boy" #4014
Built by ALCO - Schenectady in 1941 for the Union Pacific Railroad.
#4014 is a 4-8-8-4 articulated steam locomotive with 68" driving wheels.
Owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad and based in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Steam Locomotive #4014 weighs in at 762,000 lbs. (5)
Built by ALCO - Schenectady in 1941 for the Union Pacific Railroad.
#4014 is a 4-8-8-4 articulated steam locomotive with 68" driving wheels.
Owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad and based in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Steam Locomotive #4014 weighs in at 762,000 lbs. (5)
(1) - https://261.com/fleet/milwaukee-261/ (2) - https://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=996
(3)-https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/844/index.htm
(4)-https://www.vmt.org/collections/rail/steam-locomotives/steam-locomotive-norfolk-and-western-class-j-611/
(5)-https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/4014/index.htm
