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Atlantic Coast Line Steam Locomotives

The classifications given by railroads to their steam locomotive fleets were as varied as the machines themselves with several different designations within a particular class! The Atlantic Coast Line steam locomotives were likewise characterized by a wide range of classes from A to R. In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of ACL's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad.

The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, also known as the ACL or Coast Line, was synonymous with the South and served points from Richmond, Virginia to Florida and east to Birmingham, Alabama. The railroad was also very profitable being that it served direct north-south routes from Florida to Richmond. It also held one of the most unique paint schemes of any Class I of both its day, having a beautiful purple and silver livery with yellow trim. Remembered in the likes of the Southern Railway in later years the ACL was highly respected throughout most of its existence and like the Southern was blessed with excellent management and never faced any serious bankruptcy threat up until its merger with the Seaboard Air Line in the late 1960s to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad.

Being that the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad operated in the mostly flat Southeast its steam fleet was built more for speed than power although it roster 2-10-2 Santa Fes and 4-8-4 Northerns, or 1800s as they were known on the ACL. Today, five ACL steam locomotives remain preserved (none in operation) although nothing larger than a 4-6-2 Pacific.

Class A-3

The ACL's Class A-3 included its fleet of 0-4-0 switchers.

Class C

The ACL's Class C included its fleet of 4-4-0 Americans ranging from Class C to C-8.

Class D

The ACL's Class D included more of its fleet of 4-4-0 Americans ranging from Class D to D-7 (save for Class D-1 which were 2-6-0 Moguls).

Class E

The ACL's Class E included its fleet of 0-6-0 switchers and ranged from Class E to E-14 (E-14 of which was 0-8-0 switchers).

Class F

The ACL's Class F included more of its fleet of 4-4-0 Americans ranging from Class F to F-5.

Class G

The ACL's Class G included its fleet of 2-6-0 Moguls ranging from Class G to G-5.

Class H

The ACL's Class H included another small roster of 4-4-0 Americans.

Class I

The ACL's Class I included its fleet of 4-4-2 Atlantics ranging from Class I-1 to I-3 (although Class I-2 were rare 2-4-2 Columbians).

Class J

The ACL's Class J included 4-6-2 Pacifics (Class J) and 4-8-2 Mountains (Class J-1).

Class K

The ACL's Class K was the railroad's largest class and included 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers ranging from Class K to K-16.

Class L

The ACL's Class L included its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations ranging from Class L-1 to L-4.

Class M

The ACL's Class M included its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados.

Class O

The ACL's Class O included its small roster of 2-10-0 Decapods.

Class P

The ACL's Class P included its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics ranging from Class P to P-5-B.

Class Q-1

The ACL's Class Q-1 included its roster of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.

Class R-1

The ACL's Class R-1 included its fleet of 4-8-4 1800s.

For much, much more information about Atlantic Coast Line steam locomotives please click here for a complete roster.

For more reading on the Atlantic Coast Line consider the book Atlantic Coast Line Passenger Service: The Postwar Years by author Larry Goolsby, which explores the ACL's passenger operations following World War II. The book includes more than 120 pages that are filled with historic photographs of the railroad's passenger trains and has received excellent reviews by readers.

Also, consider Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the name implies the book details the earliest history of steam engine technology, even before it was used in railroad applications. His book later explores the development of steam locomotive technology in the United States from the 19th through the 20th centuries, covering not only the most popular steam locomotive designs but also the most successful manufactures to build them. The book has received excellent reviews and is a great resource on steam locomotives and a fine reference tool; you should find it very useful. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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