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: December 26, 2025

C&O #1309 - Allegheny Winter Express
January 3 - 4, and January 10 - 11, 2026
Cumberland, Maryland 
More information at - wmsr.com/

Reading #2102 - Iron Horse Ramble 
February 14, 2026
Reading Outer Station to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania and return.
Reading, Pennsylvania. 
More information: www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/rambles-jimthorpe

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. 
​
 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.