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.

We provide all schedules as information only.
Be sure to contact the Railroads directly for up to date event information, schedules & ticket availability.

2021 CALENDAR OF MAINLINE STEAM OPERATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES
As of October 18, 2021

Milwaukee Road #261

North Pole Express
St. Paul, Minnesota
Multiple departures each day of operation. Steam Locomotive #261 operates December 3-5, 2021.
Milwaukee Road #32A, a historic streamlined Diesel Locomotive operates December 9-12, 2021.
Tickets and More information ---> 261.com/npe/

Southern Pacific #4449

Holiday Express
Portland, Oregon
Multiple 45-minute departures on weekends and select weekdays from November 26 - December 19, 2021.
Tickets and More information ---> orhf.org/events/holiday-express/

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.

Norfolk & Western #611 - the J
Virginia Museum of Transportation
Roanoke, Virginia

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

Nickel Plate #765
Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Southern Pacific #4449 - the Daylight
Friends of the 4449
Portland, Oregon

Southern Pacific "Daylight" Steam Locomotive #4449

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.

Spokane Portland & Seattle #700
Pacific Railroad Preservation Association
Portland, Oregon

China Railways #7081
Central States Steam Preservation
North Liberty, Iowa

China Railways #6988
Central States Steam Preservation
North Liberty, Iowa

Two steam locomotives sit next to each other, both are making smoke. Both have metal smoke deflectors. One has a red front and red wheels. The other has a brass bell.

Iowa Interstate QJ Steam Locomotives #7081 and #6988.

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.

Milwaukee Road #261
Friends of 261
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Santa Fe #3751
San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society
San Bernardino, California.

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.