Railroad History

Passenger and Commuter Rail

Railroading Today

Rolling Stock

Infrastructure and Terms

Museums and Tourism

Miscellaneous

About The Site

[?] Subscribe To American-Rails.com

Union Pacific 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! Union Pacific steam locomotives were likewise distinguished by wide range of numbers and letters. In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of the UP's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad. Also, this list only features the Union Pacific's modern steam locomotives covering 2-8-0 wheel arrangements and above.

The Union Pacific Railroad (UP), the largest and one of the most powerful railroads in the country has been with us since 1862, some 146 years. The Union Pacific is far older than any other American Class I railroad today with the Kansas City Southern in a nearby second at 107 years (beyond that CSX Transportation ranks in third at 27 years). In that time the railroad has become not only one of the most highly respected institutions in the nation but also has seen nearly every major railroading event in our country’s history, and accordingly has a very long and storied history.

Like everything else about the UP historically the steam locomotives it rostered were massive. King among its types was the fabled 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy" built by the American Locomotive Company, Alco. Other articulateds included the equally impressive 4-6-6-4 Challengers as well as fleets of 2-8-8-2s and 2-8-8-0s. Today, not only does the UP have one of the highest numbers of surviving steam locomotives but also of articulated types with no less than eight Big Boys preserved and two Challengers, one of which remains operational in the railroad's heritage steam program.

Class 3500, 3600

These classes designated UP's fleet of 2-8-8-0 articulateds.

Class 4664, CSA

Class 4664 and Class CSA designated UP's fleet of 4-6-6-4 Challengers.

Class 4884-1, 4884-2

These classes designated UP's fleet of famed 4-8-8-4 Big Boys.

Class C-57 22

Class C-57 22 designated UP's fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations.

Class FEF

Class FEF designated UP's fleet of 4-8-4 Northerns ranging from Class FEF-1 to FEF-3.

Class FTT

Class FTT designated UP's fleet of 4-10-2s.

Class MC 57

Class MC 57 designated UP's fleet of 2-8-8-2 heavy articulateds.

Class MT

Class MT designated UP's fleet of 4-8-2 Mountains.

Class SA 57

Class SA 57 designated UP's fleet of 2-8-8-2 heavy articulateds.

Class TTT

Class TTT designated UP's fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.

Class UP

Class UP designated UP's fleet of 4-12-2s.

For complete roster information regarding Union Pacific steam locomotives please click here.

For more reading on the Union Pacific you might want to consider Union Pacific Railroad from author Joe Welsh. Of course, being that the Union Pacific is so well known and has been around for so many years, hundreds of publications (many quite good) have been written about it detailing various subjects of the railroad. However, this book will at least give you a general overview and history of the UP (filled with many, excellent, historical and colorful photographs) at which point you can decide if you are interested in further books of study on the railroad. Even if you are a historian of the UP and have not seen this book I'm sure you will enjoy it!

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.

footer for union pacific steam locomotives page