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

While the Wabash Railroad was never a large carrier its legendary status far surpasses its size. The Wabash was a Midwestern carrier connecting Buffalo, New York with cities such as Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City and Omaha. At its peak it was only a little over 2,000 miles in length but its bridge line status, markets it served, and high speed freight service made it a quite successful railroad, especially during its latter years. Eventually the Wabash was swept up in the merger mania beginning in the late 1950s and after a long stint of PRR ownership it eventually became part of the sprawling N&W system in the 1960s.

The Wabash had a wide array of steam locomotives from small switchers to Pacifics and Mikados. It's largest steamers were 4-8-4 Northerns and 2-10-2 Santa Fes. Today, neither of these survive although a few original Wabash steam locomotives are preserved.

Class A

The Wabash's Class A included its fleet of 0-4-0 switchers.

Class B

The Wabash's Class B included its fleet of 0-6-0 switchers ranging from Class B-2 to B-8.

Class C

The Wabash's Class C included its fleet of 0-8-0 switchers.

Class D

The Wabash's Class D included its fleet of 4-4-0 Americans.

Class E

The Wabash's Class E included its fleet of 4-4-2 Atlantics.

Class F

The Wabash's Class F included its fleet of 2-6-0 Moguls.

Class G-1

The Wabash's Class G-1 included its fleet of 2-6-2 Prairies.

Class H

The Wabash's Class H included its fleet of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers ranging from Class H-1 to H-12s.

Class I

The Wabash's Class I included its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations.

Class J

The Wabash's Class J included its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics.

Class K

The Wabash's Class K included its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados.

Class L-1

The Wabash's Class L-1 included its only roster of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.

Class M-1

The Wabash's Class M-1 included its fleet of 4-8-2 Mountains.

Class O-1

The Wabash's Class 0-1 included its fleet of 4-8-4 Northerns.

Class P-1

The Wabash's Class P-1 included its fleet of 4-6-4 Hudsons.

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

For more reading on the Wabash I would strongly consider picking up Follow the Flag: A History of the Wabash Railroad Company the first in-depth publication of the railroad. If you have an interest in the Wabash you will especially enjoy the book. However, even if not, it is a well-written railroading book on a very interesting Midwestern carrier and if you have an interest in railroading in general you will likely find the book interesting as well.

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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