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Kansas City Southern 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! Kansas City Southern steam locomotives were likewise distinguished by a wide range of classes from D to S. In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of KCS's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad.

The Kansas City Southern Railway, better known as simply the KCS, may be our country’s smallest Class I railroad in terms of route miles, surrounded by the other four giants Union Pacific, BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, and Norfolk Southern (six including the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific). However, the railroad is the second oldest Class I still in operation, next to the Union Pacific, and its history dates back to the late 19th century. Other than the Union Pacific, the KCS is the only remaining Class I railroad whose name has never changed prior to the diesel era. In recent years the railroad has witnessed substantial growth by acquiring four different railroads, two of which are located in Mexico.

The KCS operated a wide range of steam locomotives with its largest types including 2-10-4 Texas', 2-10-2 Santa Fes, 2-8-8-0 Mallets. Today, none of these large steamers survive and only one overall is known to exist, a little 0-8-0 switcher on display in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Class D-25

The KCS's Class D-25 included its roster of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers.

Class E

The KCS's Class E included its roster of 2-8-0 Consolidations.

Class F-2

The KCS's Class F-2 included its roster of 0-6-0 switchers.

Class G

The KCS's Class G included its fleet of Mallets, 0-6-6-0s and 2-8-8-0s.

Class H

The KCS's Class H included its roster of 4-6-2 Pacifics.

Class J

The KCS's Class J included its roster of 2-10-4 Texas Types.

Class K

The KCS's Class K included its roster of 0-8-0 switchers.

Class L

The KCS's Class L included its roster of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.

Class M-22

The KCS's Class M-22 included its roster of 2-8-2 Mikados.

For complete roster information regarding Kansas City Southern steam locomotives please click here.

For more information about the steam locomotives like those operated by the KCS 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.

Also, consider the book American Steam Locomotives from author Brian Solomon. While this publication does not include quite as much technical data as Lamb's book, Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive, it is still a very good resource with lots of information and best of all, is loaded with photographs! 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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