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! Green Bay and Western steam locomotives only included a few classes since the fleet was rather small. In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of GB&W's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad. The Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad is a Class III shortline carrier located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The LS&I is another of the many ore haulers once located in the upper Midwest regions. However, unlike most it continues to live on today at over 110 years of age and still moving iron ore. Today, the Lake Superior & Ishpeming is owned by the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company and while a few branches and other secondary lines have been shed over the years it currently operates from near Ishpeming east to Marquette, a distance of about 25 miles.
Interestingly, even though the LS&I neither rostered many steam locomotives nor large types several remain preserved with no less than four still in operation! All those in operation are 2-8-0 Consolidations and run on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Grand Canyon Railway, Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, and regional Ohio Central (for the time being, the OC was recently sold). For more information about surviving LS&I steamers please click here.
Class MK-2
The LS&I's Class MK-2 included its roster of 2-8-2 Mikados.
Class SC
The LS&I's Class SC included its roster of 2-8-0 Consolidations ranging from Class SC-1 to SC-4.
Class SF-1
The LS&I's Class SF-1 included its roster of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.
For more information on steam locomotive types like those operated by the LS&I you might want to 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.
