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 Southern Pacific Steam LocomotivesThe classifications given by railroads to their steam locomotive fleets were as varied as the machines themselves with several different designations within a particular class! Southern Pacific steam locomotives were likewise distinguished by a wide range of classes from A to T. In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of the Espee's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad. Also, this data only covers SP's "modern" steam fleet. For information regarding its roster prior to 1900 please click here.
The Southern Pacific's steam fleet was just as celebrated and vaunted as the railroad itself. It rostered massive steamers like 2-8-8-2s and 2-10-2s, including its famed Cab Forwards, all of which were articulated and used to drag long freights over the Sierras. Its fleet also included the beautiful, streamlined 4-8-4 Northerns, known as Golden States by the SP, used to haul passengers in its Daylight trains while skirting the southern California coastline. Today, happily, no less than 65 Espee steamers remain in some state of preservation (the most of any, one single railroad) with no less than nine still operational (including famed Golden State #4449) and many more under restoration! These classes designated SP's fleet of 4-4-2 Atlantics. The famed class of much of SP's Cab Forward fleet including 2-8-8-2s, 4-8-8-2s, and 2-8-8-4s their classes ranged from AC-1 to AC-12. This SP class included its fleet of 4-6-6-2s. The SP's Class B-1 designated its fleet of 2-8-4 Berkshires. The SP's Class C designated its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations. The SP's Class F designated its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes ranging from Class F-1 to F-6. The SP's Class GS included its magnificent 4-8-4 Golden States ranging from Class GS-1 to GS-8.
The SP's Class M designated its fleet of 2-6-0 Moguls. The SP's Class MC included more Cab Forwards of the 2-8-8-2 wheel arrangement. The SP's Class Mk designated its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados ranging from Class Mk-2 to Mk-9. The SP's Class MM included more Cab Forwards of the 2-6-6-2 and 4-6-6-2 wheel arrangement. The SP's Class Mt designated its fleet of 4-8-2 Mountains. The SP's Class P included its large fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics ranging from Class P-1 to P-14. The SP's Class S designated its fleet of 0-6-0 switchers ranging from Class S-1 to S-22. The SP's Class SE designated its fleet of 0-8-0 switchers. The SP's Class B-1 designated its fleet of 2-8-4 Berkshires. The SP's Class SP designated its fleet of 4-10-2s ranging from Class SP-1 to SP-3. The SP's Class T designated its fleet of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers. The SP's Class Tw designated its fleet of 4-8-0 Twelve-Wheelers.
For more reading and background on the SP consider the books Southern Pacific Railroad from noted author Brian Solomon. The book gives a superb general overview of the railroad and its extensive passenger operations and is filled with excellent photographs (many in color) of the Espee. If you are a fan or have any interest whatsoever in the Southern Pacific you will very much enjoy the publication. 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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