Operating Mainline Steam Locomotives in the United States
Mainline Steam is where to find the largest operating steam locomotives in the United States.
"Mainline" refers to the busy mainline railroads which required the largest and most powerful steam locomotives.
As you'll see each railroad had it's own style when designing the powerful machines.
Operating these locomotives in modern times requires a lot of planning and special permission so every time an operation occurs it is a special event.
Check this page regularly for updates to Mainline Steam locomotive operating schedules and click on each locomotive in this list for more information and for photographs and trip reports from excursions I've taken over the years.
Also please note - there are some Steam Locomotives that have operated in Mainline Service in the past, that are not included here because their current operations are more in line with those on the "Steam by State" page.
"Mainline" refers to the busy mainline railroads which required the largest and most powerful steam locomotives.
As you'll see each railroad had it's own style when designing the powerful machines.
Operating these locomotives in modern times requires a lot of planning and special permission so every time an operation occurs it is a special event.
Check this page regularly for updates to Mainline Steam locomotive operating schedules and click on each locomotive in this list for more information and for photographs and trip reports from excursions I've taken over the years.
Also please note - there are some Steam Locomotives that have operated in Mainline Service in the past, that are not included here because their current operations are more in line with those on the "Steam by State" page.
We provide all schedules as information only.
Be sure to contact the Railroads directly for up to date event information, schedules & ticket availability.
2024 CALENDAR OF MAINLINE STEAM OPERATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES
As of June 6, 2024
Canadian Pacific #2816
"Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour"
Calgary, Alberta Canada - Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City, Mexico - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Public Events Schedule
JUNE 7 - Mexico City, Mexico
JUNE 15 Laredo, Texas to Kendleton, Texas
JUNE 17 Kendleton, Texas to Shreveport, La.
JUNE 24 Shreveport, La. to Heavener, Okla.
JUNE 25 Heavener, Okla. to Kansas City, Mo.
JUNE 27 Kansas City, Mo. to Davenport, Iowa
JULY 1 Davenport, Iowa to St. Paul, Minn.
JULY 3 St. Paul, Minn. to Thief River Falls, Minn.
JULY 4 Thief River Falls, Minn. to Winnipeg, Man.
JULY 6 Winnipeg, Man. • EVENT •
JULY 7 Winnipeg, Man. to Brandon, Man.
JULY 8 Brandon, Man. to Moose Jaw, Sask.
JULY 9 Moose Jaw, Sask. to Medicine Hat, Alta
JULY 10 Medicine Hat, Alta. to Calgary, Alta.
Trains rides are not offered or available on this tour - public events will offer the public a chance to see the locomotive up close and learn about the history of the locomotive.
More information - www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train
Nickel Plate #765
"Indiana Rail Experience"
Tri-State Scenic Steam Excursion | Eden, Ohio - June 15 & 16, 2024
Fall Color Train - Pleasant Lake, Indiana - October 19 & 20, 2024
Other excursions announced with various themes.
For Tickets and More information - www.indianarailexperience.org/
Reading & Northern #2102
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading & Northern Iron Horse Ramble
Nesquehoning, PA to Tunkhannock, PA - Saturday June 22, 2024
Nesquehoning, PA to Pittston, PA - Saturday August 17, 2024
For Tickets and More information - www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/rambles
Union Pacific "Big Boy" #4014
"Westward Bound Tour 2024"
Sunday, June 30 - Cheyenne, Wyo. to Rawlins, Wyo.
Monday, July 1 - Rawlins, Wyo. to Rock Springs, Wyo.
Wednesday, July 3 - Rock Springs, Wyo. to Evanston, Wyo.
Thursday, July 4 - Evanston, Wyo. to Salt Lake City, Utah
Saturday, July 6 - Salt Lake City, Utah to Elko, Nev.
Monday, July 8 - Elko, Nev. to Winnemucca, Nev.
Tuesday, July 9 - Winnemuca, Nev. to Portola, Calif.
Wednesday, July 10 - Portola, Calif. Display at Western Pacific Railroad Museum
Thursday, July 11 - Portola, Calif. to Roseville, Calif.
Friday, July 12 & 13 - Roseville, Calif. - On Public Display
Sunday, July 14 -Union Pacific Museum Special Public Excursion - Roseville, Calif. to Sparks, Nev.
Tuesday, July 16 - Sparks, Nev. to Winnemucca, Nev.
Wednesday, July 17 - Winnemucca, Nev. to Elko, Nev.
Friday, July 19 - Elko, Nev. to Ogden, Utah.
Saturday, July 20 & 21 - Ogden, Utah - Display at Ogden Union Station
Monday, July 22 - Ogden, Utah to Montpelier, Idaho
Tuesday, July 23 - Montpelier, Idaho, to Rock Springs, Wyo.
Thursday, July 25 - Rock Springs, Wyo. to Rawlins, Wyo.
Friday, July 26 - Rawlins, Wyo. to Cheyenne, Wyo.
Detailed Schedules and Map of Route at - www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm
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Reading & Northern #2102
Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad. Reading, Pennsylvania. |
Norfolk & Western "J" Class #611 is a coal burning Steam Locomotive.
Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive #4014.
Union Pacific #844
Union Pacific Railroad Steam Shop
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Union Pacific #4014 - the Big Boy
Union Pacific Railroad Steam Shop
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Nickel Plate Steam Locomotive #765
Southern Pacific "Daylight" Steam Locomotive #4449
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Spokane Portland & Seattle Steam Locomotive #700.
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China Railways #7081 Central States Steam Preservation North Liberty, Iowa China Railways #6988 Central States Steam Preservation North Liberty, Iowa |
Iowa Interstate QJ Steam Locomotives #7081 and #6988.
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Milwaukee Road #261 is a coal burning, 4-8-4 type Steam Locomotive.
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Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Steam Locomotive #3751.
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