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2026 Mainline Steam: Excursion Calendar & Locomotive Roster

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Mainline Steam operations feature the largest and most powerful steam locomotives ever built, designed to haul long freight and passenger trains during the golden age of railway in the United States. 
Each railroad brought a distinct philosophy to these designs, resulting in the diverse roster of locomotives you see today.

Because these operations often involve active mainline railroad operations, every excursion requires precision logistics and special permission, turning each trip into a rare and historic event.



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

​Last Update: May 6, 2026
​

Upcoming Mainline Steam Locomotive Operations in North America

Milwaukee Road #261

USA 250th Hiawatha with Milwaukee Road #261
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
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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/

Hoosier Tour with #765 in Indiana 
September 1, 2026
Pleasant Lake, Indiana Classic Automobile Staging and Photography with the #765 followed by a 2.5 excursion. 
More information: www.indianarailexperience.org/hoosier-tour/

Rolling Victory WWII Weekend with #765 in Indiana 
September 4, 5, & 6, 2026
Angola, Indiana - WWII Reenactments, Live Entertainment and Steam Train Rides offered with Nickel Plate #765
More information: www.indianarailexperience.org/rolling-victory/

Fall Colors Steam Train with #765 in Indiana 
October 16, 17, & 18, 2026 
Pleasant Lake, Indiana to Hillsdale, Michigan and return - an all-day steam powered excursion. 
More information: www.indianarailexperience.org/fall-color-steam/

Norfolk & Western #611

Summer of Steam with #611 - Staunton, Virginia 
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 in Virginia 
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, Virginia
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

Funders Day Special Steam Excursion 
June 27, 2026
#2102 Leads excursion from Nesquehoning to Tunkhannock for the Founders Day Celebration in the town. 
Tickets on sale and more information starting May 4th: www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/

250th Independence Day Special Steam Excursion 
July 4, 2026
#2102 leads excursion from Reading Outer Station to Jim Thorpe. 
Tickets on sale and more information starting May 4th: www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/

Tomato Festival Special Steam Excursion
August 22, 2026
#2102 leads excursion from Nesquehoning to Pittston for the annual Tomato festival. 
Tickets on sale and more information starting May 4th: www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/


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
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/

Spokane Portland & Seattle #700

National Train Day at Oregon Rail Heritage Center 
May 9 & 10, 2026
The 700 will be under steam, Daylight #4449 will be on display outside in the yard, and Polson #2, a Baldwin 2-8-2, will be giving steam train rides during this 2-day celebration of National Train Day. Turntable demonstrations, and model railroad displays will also be offered. 
Portland, Oregon
More information at - 
orhf.org/blog/national-train-day-returns-may-9-10-2026/

Union Pacific Big Boy #4014

Union Pacific #4014 Transcontinental Steam Tour for the 250th Anniversary of the USA - East
May 25, 2026 - Departs Cheyenne, Wyoming for Sidney, Nebraska
May 26 - Sidney, Nebraska to North Platte, Nebraska 
May 27 - Union Pacific Employee Event in North Platte, Nebraska 
May 28 - North Platte, Nebraska to Grand Island, Nebraska 
May 29 - Grand Island, Nebraska to Omaha, Nebraska 
May 30 - On Public Display in Omaha, Nebraska 
May 31 - Omaha, Nebraska to Boone, Iowa 
June 1 - Boone, Iowa to Cedar Rapids, Iowa
June 2 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa to West Chicago, Illinois 
June 3 - On Public Display and Union Pacific Employee event in West Chicago, Illinois
June 4- West Chicago, Illinois to South Holland, Illinois 
June 5 - South Holland, Illinois to Fort Wayne, Indiana 
June 6 - Fort Wayne, Indiana to Bellevue, Ohio 
June 7 - No Public Events - 
Bellevue, Ohio
June 8 - Bellevue, Ohio to Conneaut, Ohio 
June 9 - Conneaut, Ohio to Buffalo, New York 
June 10 - On Public Display in Buffalo, New York 
June 11 - Buffalo, New York to Sayre, Pennsylvania 
June 12 - Sayre, Pennsylvania to Binghamton, New York
June 13 - Binghamton, New York to Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania 
June 14 - Union Pacific Museum Special Public Excursion - Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania to Pittston, Pennsylvania 

June 15 - On Public Display at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania 
June 16 - On Public Display at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania 
June 17 - June 30 - Locomotive Maintenance with Distant Public Views at Steamtown in Scranton, Pennsylvania 

July 1 - Scranton, Pennsylvania to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania 
July 2 - Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania to King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 
July 3 - King of Prussia, Pennsylvania to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 4 - On Public Display in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
July 5 - On Public Display in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
July 6 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 
July 7 - King of Prussia, Pennsylvania to Enola, Pennsylvania 
July 8 - Enola, Pennsylvania to Altoona, Pennsylvania 
July 9 - On Public Display in Altoona, Pennsylvania 
July 10 - On Public Display in Altoona, Pennsylvania 
July 11 - Altoona, Pennsylvania to Conway, Pennsylvania by way of the Horseshoe Curve
July 12 - Conway, Pennsylvania to Conneaut, Ohio 
July 13 - Conneaut, Ohio to  Fostoria, Ohio
July 14 - On Public Display in Fostoria, Ohio 
July 15 - Fostoria, Ohio to Fort Wayne, Indiana 
July 16 - Fort Wayne, Indiana to South Holland, Illinois 
July 17 - South Holland, Illinois to Bloomington, Illinois 
July 18 - Bloomington, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri 
July 19 - On Public Display at Union Station in St. Louis, Missouri
Juy 20 - St. Louis, Missouri to Jefferson City, Missouri 
July 21 - Jefferson City, Missouri to Kansas City, Missouri 
July 22 - On Public Display and Union Pacific Employee event at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri 

July 23 - Kansas City, Missouri to Salina, Kansas 
July 24 - Salina, Kansas to Hays, Kansas 
July 25 - Public Viewing in Hays, Kansas 
July 26 - Hays, Kansas to Sharon Springs, Kansas
July 27 - Sharon Springs, Kansas to Denver, Colorado 
July 28 - Union Pacific Employee event in Denver, Colorado 
July 29 - Denver, Colorado to Cheyenne, Wyoming 

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

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/

Pete Lerro Night Photo shoot with Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 (operational) and #4012. 
June 27 & 28, 2026
Steamtown - Scranton, Pennsylvania 

For more information: lerrophotography.com/workshop/unionpacific2026/
​

 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.

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