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.

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

2026 Mainline Steam Events in North America
Last Update: November 9, 2025

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

Union Pacific #4014 Transcontinental Steam Tour for the 250th Anniversary of the USA
Dates and information to be announced.

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
Type: 4-8-4 "Northern"
Fuel: Coal
Builder: ALCO Schenectady | 1944
Current Owner: Friends of the 261
Home: Minneapolis, Minnesota
More information at: https://261.com/

Nickel Plate Steam Locomotive #765

Nickel Plate #765
Type: 2-8-4 "Berkshire"
Fuel: Coal
Builder: Lima Locomotive Works | 1944
Current Owner: Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society
Home: Fort Wayne, Indiana
More information at: https://fortwaynerailroad.org/

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
Type: 4-8-4 "J Class"
Fuel: Coal
Builder: N&W Roanoke | 1950
Current Owner: Virginia Museum of Transportation
Home: Roanoke, Virginia
More information at: www.vmt.org/attractions/611

Canadian Pacific "Empress" #2816
Type: 4-6-4 "Hudson"
Fuel: Oil
Builder: Montreal Locomotive Works | 1930
Current Owner: Canadian Pacific
Home: Calgary, Alberta
More information at: www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train

Reading #2102
Type: 4-8-4 "Northern"
Fuel: Coal
Builder: Baldwin | 1925 (original 2-8-0)
Rebuilt: Reading | 1945
Current Owner: Reading Blue Mountain & Northern
Home: Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
More information at: www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/

Santa Fe #2926
Type: 4-8-4 "Northern"
Fuel: Oil
Builder: Baldwin | 1944
Current Owner: New Mexico Heritage Rail
Home: Albuquerque, New Mexico
More information at: 2926.us/

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

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.

Santa Fe #3751
Type: 4-8-4 "Northern"
Fuel: Oil
Builder: Baldwin | 1927
Current Owner: San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society
Home: Los Angeles, California
More information at: https://www.sbrhs.org/welcome.html

Southern Pacific "Daylight" Steam Locomotive #4449

Southern Pacific "Daylight" #4449
Type: 4-8-4 "Northern"
Fuel: Oil
Builder: Lima | 1941
Current Home: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation
Home: Portland, Oregon
More information at: orhf.org/

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
Type: 4-8-4 "Northern"
Fuel: Oil
Builder: Baldwin | 1938
Current Home: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation
Home: Portland, Oregon
More information at: orhf.org/

Union Pacific #844
Type: 4-8-4 "Northern"
Fuel: Oil
Builder: ALCO Schenectady | 1944
Current Owner: Union Pacific (never retired)
Home: Cheyenne, Wyoming
More information at: www.up.com/about-us/history/steam

Union Pacific Steam Locomotive #844

Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive #4014.

Union Pacific #4014
Type: 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy"
Fuel: Oil
Builder: ALCO Schenectady | 1941
Current Owner: Union Pacific
Home: Cheyenne, Wyoming
More information at: www.up.com/about-us/history/steam

Upcoming Events for the Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 -
America's 250th Anniversary Transcontinental Steam Tour.
Dates and Details to be announced.