Transportation

Famous Steam Locomotives

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Updated:4/7/2026
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Name
Country
Built
Wheel Arrangement
Top Speed (km/h)
Claim to Fame
Mallard (LNER 4468)
United Kingdom1,9384-6-2202World steam speed record holder (126 mph, 1938)
Flying Scotsman (LNER 4472)
United Kingdom1,9234-6-2161First locomotive officially recorded at 100 mph; global tour celebrity
Big Boy (UP 4014)
United States1,9414-8-8-4130Among the largest and heaviest steam locomotives ever built
Pennsylvania Railroad T1
United States1,9424-4-4-4200Duplex drive express engine; reportedly exceeded 140 mph in tests
DRG Class 05
Germany1,9354-6-4200Held world steam speed record at 124.5 mph in 1936
Stephenson's Rocket
United Kingdom1,8290-2-247Won the Rainhill Trials; defined the modern locomotive layout
Union Pacific 844
United States1,9444-8-4190Only US Class I locomotive never retired from active service
Norfolk & Western 611
United States1,9504-8-4177Streamlined J-class beauty considered N&W's masterpiece
SNCF 242 A1
France1,9464-8-4140André Chapelon rebuild; most thermally efficient steam loco ever
Tornado (LNER A1 60163)
United Kingdom2,0084-6-2161First mainline steam locomotive built in Britain since 1960
Old Maud (Erie 2603)
United States1,9040-8-8-030First Mallet articulated locomotive built in the US
Challenger (UP 3985)
United States1,9434-6-6-4130Largest operating steam locomotive in the world for decades
C&O 614
United States1,9484-8-4180Used in 1985 Chesapeake & Ohio coal-burning efficiency tests
JNR Class C62
Japan1,9484-6-4129Largest Japanese passenger locomotive; 'King of Steam' in Japan
South African Class 26 (Red Devil)
South Africa1,9814-8-4130L. D. Porta rebuild; most thermally efficient steam loco of late era

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