In the first half of the 20th century, the American industrial revolution helped establish the United States as a world superpower. This industrial revolution was powered, in part, by a freight transportation network unparalleled in the world. It was the introduction of steam locomotives that revolutionized transportation clear across the North American continent. For railroads, powerful steam locomotives were the mainstay of daily operations. In the 1950s, the efficiency of diesel locomotives eventually overwhelmed steam. Although steam engines were as powerful as diesels, and often faster, their huge appetite for fuel and water and the need for labor-intensive maintenance spelled their doom.
However, several major North American railroads established steam programs for public relations and passenger excursions along their routes. In the mid-1980s, the Norfolk Southern Corporation brought two steam locomotives out of storage and refurbished them for operating service. The A-Class #1218 and J-Class #611 were built in 1943 and 1950 respectively by predecessor railroad Norfolk and Western. They performed spectacularly during the late 1980s and early 1990s until the program ended in 1994. The pictures below capture the essence of the Norfolk Southern Steam Program with both locomotives operating across Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia through the heart of Norfolk and Western territory. (Click on the pictures to enlarge.)
Union Pacific is currently the only major US railroad that owns and operates its own steam equipment. Two World War II-era steam locomotives continue to run in special public relations and excursion service today. The Northern-class #844 was the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific. When steam operations were phased out, the 844 was never retired and scrapped, but rather held for special service to eventually become the cornerstone of Union Pacific's steam program. The second locomotive, Challenger-class #3985, had been on display in Cheyenne, Wyoming and was restored to operating condition by a group of volunteers and Union Pacific employees in 1981. (Click on the pictures to enlarge.)
Finally, museums and historical societies have restored steam locomotives for mainline operating service as well. Until 1983, former Nickel Plate Railroad Mikado-class #587 had been on public display in Indianapolis. After a five year restoration effort by the Indiana Transportation Museum, the World War I-era locomotive returned to operating service and can be found pulling public excursions across the Midwest. Another Nickel Plate steamer has also been restored in Indiana. The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society restored Berkshire-class #765 to operating condition in 1979. Since then, the Society has become the most experienced all-volunteer, non-profit steam locomotive operator in the country with over 53,000 miles of main line steam operations under their belts. Up the road in Michigan, the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation and the Steam Railroading Institute maintain and operate another Berkshire, former Pere Marquette Railroad #1225. The Institute educates the public about steam-era railroad technology and its impact on the culture and economy of the Great Lakes. Recently, the 1225 was featured in the movie Polar Express. (Click on the pictures to enlarge.)
