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

The little Monon Route, known for years as the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Railway until its nickname became the railroad’s official name, was a Midwestern regional that struggled on and off for many years but for the last thirty years of its history did quite well. The Monon was never a large railroad and lived among giants only owning a bit over 500 total miles of track at its peak. As its original name implies it served the cities of Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisville and was also a bridge route, hauling traffic for larger railroads like the Southern Railway and Louisville & Nashville.

While the Monon never operated steam locomotives any larger than 2-10-2 Santa Fes it roster lots of 2-8-2 Mikados and 4-6-2 Pacifics. Today, there is one surviving Monon steam locomotive, a 2-8-2 Mikado that is currently in Soo Line colors as #1024 on display in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. For more information about this steamer please click here.

Class B

The Monon's Class B fleet of steam locomotives included its roster of 0-6-0 switchers.

Class D

The Monon's Class D fleet of steam locomotives included its roster of 4-4-0 Americans.

Class E

The Monon's Class E fleet of steam locomotives included its roster of 4-8-0 Twelve-Wheelers.

Class F-1

The Monon's Class F-1 fleet of steam locomotives included its only roster of 2-6-0 Moguls.

Class G

The Monon's Class G fleet of steam locomotives included its roster of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers.

Class H

The Monon's Class H fleet of steam locomotives included its roster of 2-8-0 Consolidations.

Class I-1

The Monon's Class I-1 fleet of steam locomotives included its roster of 4-4-2 Atlantics.

Class J

The Monon's Class J fleet of steam locomotives included its roster of 2-8-2 Mikados.

Class K

The Monon's Class K fleet of steam locomotives included its largest roster of steamers, 4-6-2 Pacifics.

Class L-1

The Monon's Class L-1 fleet of steam locomotives included its only roster of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.

For complete roster information regarding Monon Railroad steam locomotives please click here.

For more reading and history on the Monon Railroad, including information regarding its steam locomotive fleet you might want to consider Monon: The Hoosier Line by author Gary Dolzall. Mr. Dolzall gives an excellent history of the railroad in his book with over 200 pictures (all black and white). If you are a fan of the Monon and/or are interested in learning more about the railroad I am sure you will find the book very enjoyable.

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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