Reference · 13 operating · 3 in restoration

Operating Steam Locomotives in the US — 2026

Every steam locomotive currently running excursions in the United States — plus the major ongoing restorations. Big Boy 4014 gets all the headlines, but 12 other steam engines are running in 2026.

Operating in 2026

  • Union Pacific Big Boy #4014

    Operating

    Cheyenne, WY

    📅 2026 coast-to-coast tour — Eastern leg through Jul 29

    The only operating Big Boy. Currently on a once-in-a-lifetime East Coast tour.

  • Norfolk & Western "J" Class #611

    Operating

    Roanoke, VA

    📅 Staunton excursions Jun 12-21, Louisa Jun 26-Jul 5

    Streamlined 4-8-4 Northern. Operated by Virginia Scenic / Buckingham Branch.

  • Milwaukee Road S-3 #261

    Operating

    Minneapolis, MN

    📅 America250 excursions Jul 17-19 Chanhassen↔Appleton

    4-8-4 Northern restored and operated by Friends of the 261.

  • Southern Pacific GS-4 #4449

    Operating

    Portland, OR

    📅 On display; 2026 excursions TBA

    Restored 4-8-4 Daylight, famously toured for the Bicentennial in 1976. Home: Oregon Rail Heritage Center.

  • Nickel Plate Road S-2 #765

    Operating

    Fort Wayne, IN

    📅 Ice Cream Train Jul 5, Hoosier Tour Sep 1, Rolling Victory WWII Wknd Sep 4-6

    2-8-4 Berkshire operated by Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.

  • Pere Marquette #1225

    Operating

    Owosso, MI

    📅 Photo charter ran Jan 2026; main season starts late summer

    2-8-4 Berkshire, the "Polar Express" locomotive that inspired the 2004 film. Steam Railroading Institute.

  • Reading T-1 #2102

    Operating

    Port Clinton, PA

    📅 Lehigh Gorge excursions Jun 13, Jun 14, Jul 1 — paired with 4014

    4-8-4 Northern, the famed "Reading Iron Horse Rambles" locomotive. Operated by Reading Blue Mountain & Northern.

  • N&W M-class #475

    Operating

    Strasburg, PA

    📅 Daily rotation, Strasburg↔Paradise 45-minute excursions

    4-8-0 Twelve-wheeler. The only operating 4-8-0 in North America.

  • Great Western #90

    Operating

    Strasburg, PA

    📅 Daily rotation

    2-10-0 Decapod. The most powerful locomotive at Strasburg.

  • Canadian National #89

    Operating

    Strasburg, PA

    📅 Daily rotation

    2-6-0 Mogul. Saturday morning roster regular.

  • Durango & Silverton Roster (incl. 473, 476, 478, 481, 482, 486, 487, 489, 493, 497) #481

    Operating

    Durango, CO

    📅 Daily Durango↔Silverton season

    3-foot narrow-gauge K-class 2-8-2 Mikados. Largest continuously-operating narrow-gauge railroad in the country.

  • Cumbres & Toltec #484 / 487 / 488 / 489 / 463

    Operating

    Chama, NM

    📅 Daily season May-Oct

    3-foot narrow-gauge K-36 and K-37 Mikados. Co-owned by NM and CO; the longest narrow-gauge line in the US.

  • Nevada Northern #81

    Operating

    East Ely, NV

    📅 Polar Express + seasonal specials

    2-8-0 Consolidation. Covering for #40 during its overhaul.

In restoration — coming back

  • Nevada Northern #40

    In restoration

    East Ely, NV

    🛠 Return targeted 2026-27

    4-6-0 Ten-wheeler. The signature Nevada Northern locomotive, currently in overhaul.

  • Chesapeake & Ohio J-3a #614

    In restoration

    Clifton Forge, VA

    🛠 Operational target Summer 2027

    4-8-4 Greenbrier. Last major C&O steam locomotive; restoration well underway.

  • Chicago & North Western R-1 #1385

    In restoration

    North Freedom, WI

    🛠 Long-term restoration; not 2026

    4-6-0 Ten-wheeler. Mid-Continent Railway Museum.

Tracking Big Boy 4014?

The 2026 coast-to-coast tour schedule with stop addresses, times, and directions.

See the 4014 tour →