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Maine Central Railroad 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 Maine Central Railroad steam locomotives were likewise characterized by a wide range of classes. In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of MEC's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad. The Maine Central Railroad was a carrier similar in nature to the Bangor & Aroostook in that it served the State of Maine and shipped timber and agricultural products.

At its height the railroad was never reached 1,000 miles in length but it did serve the important coastal industries of southern Maine as well as central New Hampshire, and eastern Vermont. Until its 1980 buyout by Guilford the MEC continued to be a reliable and efficient transportation artery for the region it served. Today, the remnants of the Maine Central system are now operated by Pan Am Railways

If more information on Maine Central steam locomotives comes available I will very much include it here. Also, it should be noted that three MEC steamers remain preserved, one of which is under restoration. To learn more about these locomotives please click here.

4-6-2 Pacifics: The MEC owned a total of 26 Pacifics.

4-6-4 Hudsons #701 and #702: Built by Baldwin Locomotive Works, the largest steamers the MEC ever owned.

Class S

The MEC's Class S designated its fleet of 32 2-8-2 Mikados.

Class W

The MEC's Class W designated its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations.

For more information about Maine Central Railroad steam locomotives please click here to visit SteamLocomotive.com, the best source online for information about steam locomotive types, dispositions, survivors, and much more.

For more reading about steam locomotives like those operated by the Maine Central 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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