TrainChasers.com
  • Home
  • Calendar
  • Mainline Steam
  • Steam by State
  • Theme Park Steam
  • Long Distance Trains
  • Contact Train Chasers

Operating Mainline Steam Locomotives in North America

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 its own style when designing the powerful machines.

Operating these locomotives today requires careful planning and special permission, making each operation a special event.


Upcoming Mainline Steam Locomotive Operations in North America

Be sure to check our Calendar page for a list of all upcoming steam train events and railfan specials. 

​Last Update: April 15, 2026


 -Milwaukee Road #261- 

Milwaukee Road #261 - USA 250th Hiawatha 

July 17-19, 2026
Chanhassen, MN to Montevideo, MN and return on a roundtrip weekend with photo runbys planned. 

Saturday July 18, 2026
1.5 hour and 2 hour roundtrips travel from Montevideo, MN

More information: 261.com/excursions/usa-250/


- Nickel Plate #765 -

Steam in the Valley with #765 in Ohio

June 5-7, & June 12-13, 2026
2 Hour 45 min. Excursions on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad departing from Rockside Depot in Independence, Ohio. 
Photo-Runby is planned as part of the excursions. 
More information: www.cvsr.org/excursions/steam-in-the-valley/steam-in-the-valley
​

Tri-State Scenic with #765 in Ohio
June 19 & 20, 2026
Edon, Ohio - Hillsdale, Michigan and return. All day, roundtrip excursion. 
More information: www.indianarailexperience.org/tri-state-steam-excursion/

Fox Lake Limited with #765 in Indiana 
June 21, 2026
Pleasant Lake, Indiana - Hillsdale, Michigan and return. 3-hour roundtrip excursion. 
More information: www.indianarailexperience.org/fox-lake-limited/

Ice Cream Train with #765 in Indiana 
July 5, 2026
Angola, Indian - 1-hour family train ride with free ice cream 
More information: www.indianarailexperience.org/ice-cream-train/

- Norfolk & Western #611 -

Summer of Steam with #611 - Staunton
June 12-14, & June 19-21, 2026
90 Mile Roundtrips depart from Staunton, Virginia on the Virginia Scenic Railway
More information: www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/summer-of-steam/

Summer of Steam with #611 - Extended Excursion 
June 22, 2026
123 Mile Roundtrip - #611 leads from Staunton, Virginia to Gordonsville. 
Diesel leads return. 

More information: www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/summer-of-steam/

Summer of Steam with #611 - Louisa
June 26-28, & July 3-5, 2026
90 Mile Roundtrips depart from Louisa, Virginia on the Virginia Scenic Railway

More information: www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/summer-of-steam/

- Reading #2102 -

Reading #2102 - Iron Horse Ramble 
May 23, 2026
Reading Outer Station to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania and return.
Reading, Pennsylvania. 
More information:
 www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/rambles-jimthorpe

Reading #2102 & Union Pacific #4014 - 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
June 13-14, and July 1, 2026
#2102 Leads excursion from Nesquehoning Regional Railroad Station - Pittston PA and return.
Photo opportunities from on-board, train will meet and pass Big Boy #4014
More information: www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/semiquincentennial

Reading #2102 - Mountain Top Rotary Club Steam Excursion 
September 12, 2026
All day excursion from Penobscot, PA to Jim Thorpe, PA and return. 
More information: www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/special-events

- Santa Fe #2926 -

Santa Fe #2926 - Public Display Events
April 18-19, 2026
Route 66 Celebration

Albuquerque, New Mexico
Details TBA - More information: 2926.us/

September 26-27, 2026 
New Mexico Railroad Days
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Details TBA - More information: 2926.us/

Santa Fe #2926 - Pete Lerro Mainline Photo Charter
October 23-25, 2026 
October 30-November 1, 2026
Photo Charter with Pete Lerro
Albuquerque, New Mexico 
More information at - www.lerrophotography.com/santa-fe-2926-photo-charter/

-Union Pacific Big Boy #4014-

Union Pacific #4014 Transcontinental Steam Tour for the 250th Anniversary of the USA - West
March 29, 2026 - Departs Cheyenne, Wyoming for Rawlins, Wyoming
March 30 - Rawlins, Wyoming to Rock Springs, Wyoming
March 31 - Public Viewing at Rock Springs, Wyoming
April 1 - Rock Springs, Wyoming to Evanston, Wyoming 
April 2 - Evanston, Wyoming to Salt Lake City, Utah 
April 3 - TBD
April 4 - Salt Lake City, Utah to Elko, Nevada 
April 5 - TBD 
April 6 - Elko, Nevada to 
Winnemucca, Nevada
April 7 - Winnemucca, Nevada to Portola, California
April 8 - Portola, California - Ticketed Fundraiser event, more information TBA
April 9 - Portola, California to Roseville, California

April 10 - On Public Display in Roseville, California 
April 11 - On Public Display in Roseville, California 
April 12 - Roseville, California to Sparks, Nevada 
April 13 - Sparks, Nevada - No Public Access - Private Event. 
April 14 - Sparks, Nevada to
 Winnemucca, Nevada 
April 15 - Winnemucca, Nevada to Elko, Nevada 
April 16 - Elko, Nevada - No Public Access - Private Event. 
April 17 - Elko, Nevada to Ogden, Utah

April 18 - On Public Display in Ogden, Utah
April 19 - On Public Display in Ogden, Utah
April 20 - Ogden, Utah to Evanston, Wyoming
April 21 - Evanston, Wyoming to Rock Springs, Wyoming
April 22 - TBD
April 23 - Rock Springs, Wyoming to Rawlins, Wyoming 
April 24 - Rawlins, Wyoming to Cheyenne, Wyoming


Full Schedule with Whistle Stops and more information at - www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/schedule

Union Pacific #4014 Transcontinental Steam Tour for the 250th Anniversary of the USA - Eeast
Eastern leg begins May 25 and will include display days in Omaha, Nebraska; Chicago, Illinois; Buffalo, New York; and Scranton, Pennsylvania, before Big Boy's arrival in Philadelphia for Independence Day.
Additional display days are anticipated in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri, before the tour concludes July 29.

Full Schedule with Whistle Stops will be provided at a later date. 


Reading #2102 & Union Pacific #4014 - 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
June 13-14, and July 1, 2026
#2102 Leads excursion from Nesquehoning Regional Railroad Station - Pittston PA and return.
Photo opportunities from on-board, train will meet and pass Big Boy #4014
More information: www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/semiquincentennial

Union Pacific "Big Boy" #4014 - Public Excursion on the Reading & Blue Mountain Railroad in Pennsylvania 
Sunday June 14, 2026
Nesquehoning, PA to Pittston, PA
Tickets will be available through the Union Pacific Railroad Museum
More information: www.uptraintix.org/
 We provide all schedules as information only. Be sure to contact the Railroads directly for up to date event information, schedules & ticket availability. 
​

Top 10 Largest Operating Steam Locomotives in North America

These are the Top 10 largest operating steam locomotives in North America, ranked by locomotive weight. Below, you’ll also find a complete list of all mainline steam locomotives currently operating in the United States, with additional details on each locomotive, including type, builder, and home location.

  1. Union Pacific #4014 - "Big Boy" 
  2. Santa Fe #2926 
  3. Norfolk & Western #611 
  4. Union Pacific #844 
  5. Spokane Portland & Seattle #700
  6. Santa Fe #3751
  7. Southern Pacific #4449 - "Daylight"
  8. Milwaukee Road #261
  9. Pere Marquette #1225 
  10. Reading #2102 

Complete List of Operating Main Line Steam Locomotives in North America

Union Pacific #4014 - Big Boy

Front of a large steam locomotive with Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive #4014.
Type: 4-8-8-4 Big Boy
Fuel: Oil
Locomotive Weight: 772,250lbs. 
Maximum Speed: 80 MPH
Builder: ALCO Schenectady | 1941
Current Owner: Union Pacific
Home: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Official Website: www.up.com/about-us/history/steam





Santa Fe #2926

Type: 4-8-4 Northern 
Fuel: Oil
Locomotive Weight: 
510,150lbs. 
Maximum Speed: 120 MPH
Builder: Baldwin | 1944
Current Owner: New Mexico Heritage Rail
Home: Albuquerque, New Mexico 
Official Website: ​2926.us/

Norfolk & Western #611

Streamlined Steam locomotive sits on a track in front of an old brick shop building. Norfolk & Western "J" Class #611 is a coal burning Steam Locomotive.
Type: 4-8-4 J Class
Fuel: Coal
Locomotive Weight: 494,000lbs. 
Maximum Speed: 110 MPH
Builder: N&W Roanoke | 1950
Current Owner: Virginia Museum of Transportation
Home: Roanoke, Virginia 
Official Website:  ​www.vmt.org/attractions/611


Union Pacific #844

PictureUnion Pacific Steam Locomotive #844
Type: 4-8-4 Northern 
Fuel: Oil
Locomotive Weight: 486,340lbs.
​Maximum Speed: 120 MPH
Builder: ALCO Schenectady | 1944
Current Owner: Union Pacific (never retired)
Home: Cheyenne, Wyoming 
Official Website: www.up.com/about-us/history/steam
​


​Spokane Portland & Seattle #700

Large Steam locomotive sitting inside a repair shop building. Front of engine has brass bell on top, and headlight in the center. 700 is written in silver below and above the headlight. Spokane Portland & Seattle Steam Locomotive #700.
Type: 4-8-4 Northern
Fuel: Oil
Locomotive Weight: 485,820lbs. 
Maximum Speed: 110 MPH
Builder: Baldwin | 1938
Current Owner: City of Portland, Oregon
Under the Care of: Pacific Railroad Preservation Association
Home: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation, Portland, Oregon
Pacific Railroad Preservation Assoc. Website: www.sps700.org/
Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation Website: orhf.org/


Santa Fe #3751

Front of a large steam locomotive. Centered headlight is centered with the numbers 3751 written in silver below. Brass Bell and lanterns are on the top of the engine. Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Steam Locomotive #3751.
Type: 4-8-4 Northern
Fuel: Oil
Locomotive Weight: 478,100lbs.
Maximum Speed: 100 MPH
Builder: Baldwin | 1927
Current Owner: San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society
Home: Los Angeles, California 
Official Website:  https://www.sbrhs.org/welcome.html


​Southern Pacific #4449 - Daylight

Front of locomotive. Red and Silver Southern Pacific "Daylight" Steam Locomotive #4449
Type: 4-8-4 Northern 
Fuel: Oil
Locomotive Weight: 475,000lbs. 
Maximum Speed: 110 MPH
Builder: Lima | 1941
Current Owner: City of Portland, Oregon
Under the Care of: Friends of SP 4449

Home: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation, Portland, Oregon
Friends of SP 4449 Website: www.4449.com/
Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation Website: 
orhf.org/

Famous for pulling the American Freedom Train in 1975, which was part of the nationwide celebration of America’s Bicentennial. For the occasion, #4449 was painted in a special red, white, and blue patriotic color scheme.


​Milwaukee Road #261

Front of black steam locomotive with 261 written in silver below and to the sides of the centered headlight. An off-center brass bell and red Milwaukee Road #261 is a coal burning, 4-8-4 type Steam Locomotive.
Type: 4-8-4 Northern
Fuel: Coal
Locomotive Weight: 460,000lbs.
Maximum Speed: 100 MPH 

Builder: ALCO Schenectady | 1944
Current Owner: Friends of the 261
​Home: Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Official Website:  https://261.com/


Pere Marquette #1225

PicturePere Marquette Steam Locomotive #1225 in Owosso, Michigan
Type: 2-8-4 Berkshire
Fuel: Coal
Locomotive Weight: 442,500lbs.
Maximum Speed: 70 MPH
Builder: Lima Locomotive Works | 1941
Current Owner: Steam Railroading Institute 
Home: Owosso, Michigan 
Official Website: michigansteamtrain.com/



Locomotive #1225 corresponds to Christmas Day (12/25).This historic steam engine served as the inspiration for the movie The Polar Express, with many of the film’s authentic steam sounds recorded directly from #1225.
​

The author of The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg, grew up in Michigan and saw this locomotive on display as a child.


Reading #2102

Type: 4-8-4 Northern
Fuel: Coal
Locomotive Weight: 441,300lbs. 
​Maximum Speed: 80 MPH
Builder: Baldwin | 1925 (original 2-8-0)
Rebuilt: Reading | 1945
Current Owner: Reading Blue Mountain & Northern
Home: Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
Official Website:  www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/
​

Nickel Plate #765

Front of Steam Locomotive with Nickel Plate Steam Locomotive #765
Type: 2-8-4 Berkshire
Fuel: Coal
Locomotive Weight: 440,800lbs. 
Maximum Speed: 81 MPH
Builder: Lima Locomotive Works | 1944
​Current Owner: Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society 
Home: Fort Wayne, Indiana 
Official Website: https://fortwaynerailroad.org/












Chesapeake & Ohio #1309

Type: 2-6-6-2 Mallet 
Fuel: Coal
Locomotive Weight: 434,900lbs.
​Maximum Speed: 45 MPH
Builder: Baldwin | 1949
Current Owner: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Home: Cumberland, Maryland
Official Website:  wmsr.com/

Canadian Pacific #2816 - Empress

Type: 4-6-4 Hudson
Fuel: Oil
Locomotive Weight: 351,200lbs. 
Maximum Speed: 100 MPH
Builder: Montreal Locomotive Works | 1930
Current Owner: Canadian Pacific 
Home: Calgary, Alberta
Official Website: www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train

Where else can you find operating steam locomotives?

Explore Steam by State for a state-by-state guide to scenic railways and railroad museums across the United States that run steam.

You can also visit Theme Park Steam to discover theme parks and zoos that operate their own steam locomotives.

Picture
Copyright 2026 | TrainChasers.com All Rights Reserved.  
All Photos owned and Copyrighted by TrainChasers.com unless otherwise noted
This website is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.​
TrainChasers.com is a fan site only.
Privacy Policy & Terms of Use