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

The Soo Line (“Soo” refers to the word "Sault" in the Canadian city of Sault Ste. Marie, is spoken as "Sue"), officially known as the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway for much of its life was a medium-sized Class I system that stretched throughout the upper Midwest connecting cities such as Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul, with points west in North Dakota and southern Canadian (such as Winnipeg and Sault Ste. Marie). Somewhat of northern granger line the railroad was always a smaller line surrounded by those much larger, such as the Milwaukee Road, Burlington, and Great Northern. However, up until its takeover of the floundering Milwaukee Road in 1985, for most of its life the Soo was a well maintained and managed company, earning healthy profits in a territory blanketed with competitors. Perhaps what makes this railroad so interesting is that its system crossed the U.S./Canadian border and along with serving the northern plains of America also served the southern Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba.

While the Soo Line operated in the upper Midwest and northern plains, the railroad operated steam locomotives no larger than 2-8-2 Mikados and 2-10-0 Decapods. Today, several MSP&SSM steam locomotives survive preserved, including no less than three which remain operational.

Class A

The Soo's Class A designated its unique 0-4-6T types.

Class B

The Soo's Class B designated its 0-6-0 switchers ranging from Class B to B-4.

Class C

The Soo's Class C designated its 4-4-0 Americans ranging from Class C to C-5.

Class D

The Soo's Class D designated its 2-6-0 Moguls ranging from Class D to D-3.

Class E

The Soo's Class E designated its 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers.

Class F

The Soo's Class F designated its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations ranging from Class F to Class F-12.

Class G

The Soo's Class G designated its 2-10-0 Decapods.

Class H

The Soo's Class H designated its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics.

Class J

The Soo's Class J designated its fleet of 2-6-2 Prairies.

Class K

The Soo's Class K designated its only roster of 4-4-2 Atlantics.

Class L

The Soo's Class L designated its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados ranging from Class L to L-4.

For complete roster information regarding Soo Line steam locomotives please click here.

Today the Soo Line is technically still an operating railroad, albeit on paper only as Canadian Pacific Railway has nearly entirely integrated the Soo into its system. For a pictorial history of the Soo during its last three decades of operation consider Soo Line: 1975-1992 Photo Archive from author Frank Jordan. If you have any kind of an interest in the Soo you will likely 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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