Trains Built To Inspire Wonder
Hear that whistle? It’s a reminder that locomotives have always been more than metal and steam—they’re icons of travel, innovation, and excitement. Generations have stood in awe watching them thunder past or glide gracefully through stations. Some engines became heroes of their time, others symbols of progress. Curious which ones still attract railfans everywhere? Climb aboard and enjoy the ride through the 20 most incredible locomotives ever made.
1. Union Pacific Big Boy (4014)
Of the eight surviving Big Boy locomotives, only No. 4014 still runs today, restored to glory in 2019. This 133-foot giant, weighing 1.2 million pounds, has a smart hinged frame and burns 11 tons of coal plus 12,000 gallons of water per hour in throttle tests.
2. Stourbridge Lion
A bold lion’s head painted on its boiler gave the Stourbridge Lion its name—fitting for a locomotive that made American history. Built in England by Foster, Rastrick and Company, it became America’s first steam locomotive in 1829 before retiring in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.
Stourbridge Lion by Michael Benitez
3. John Bull
Now a star of the Smithsonian Institution, the John Bull is one of the world’s oldest surviving locomotives—a proof of Robert Stephenson’s 1831 English design and New Jersey railroad history that amazed many by running again at 150 years old.
Marty Bernard from U.S.A. on Wikimedia
4. Central Pacific No. 1 (Gov. Stanford)
Building America’s first transcontinental railroad required strong machines for the western frontier. The Central Pacific Railroad answered with the Gov. Stanford locomotive of 1863, named for railroad baron and California governor Leland Stanford. Today, this historic engine rests proudly in Sacramento’s State Railroad Museum.
5. The Flying Scotsman
Born in Britain’s LNER workshops in 1923, the Flying Scotsman made history by officially reaching 100 mph in 1934. Its fame grew through tours across America and Australia, before cementing global recognition through countless film and television appearances that celebrated its speed and style.
6. Mallard
Displayed at York’s National Railway Museum, Mallard marks a defining rail achievement. Built by LNER in 1938, this streamlined locomotive used aerodynamic design to reach a record 126 mph that same year. That speed was never beaten by steam and is still celebrated as engineering brilliance.
7. Norfolk & Western 611
Known as the "Queen of Steam," the magnificent Norfolk & Western 611 truly earned her royal title. This streamlined 4-8-4 "J" class locomotive, revealed in 1950 for high-speed passenger service, was among America's last mainline steamers. Even today, it reigns, through multiple restorations.
Norfolk & Western 611: The Shenandoah Steam Spectacle (4K) by Blue Comet Productions
8. Pennsylvania Railroad GG1
The Pennsylvania Railroad’s GG1 electric locomotive served nearly fifty years as a true rail legend, debuting in 1934. Designed with Raymond Loewy’s sleek style, 139 of these engines powered the Northeast Corridor, delivering smooth 100-mph performance until their retirement in the 1980s.
9. EMD F7
When General Motors' Electro-Motive Division unveiled the F7 in 1949, they created a locomotive legend. The diesel-electric powerhouse, distinguished by its iconic bulldog nose, shattered sales records with 3,849 total units sold. Its dual freight-passenger versatility made it North America's best-selling cab unit.
10. EMD SD40-2
As 1970s railroads sought more dependable freight power, the EMD SD40-2 delivered an elegant solution through its maintenance-friendly design and rock-solid reliability. This winning formula drove production beyond 4,000 units through 1989, with countless locomotives still conquering rail networks decades later.
A RAILFAN FAVORITE - the SD40-2 by V12 Productions
11. General Electric AC6000CW
Built between 1995 and 2001, General Electric’s AC traction motor technology reached its peak with the AC6000CW locomotive by producing 6,000 horsepower of diesel-electric strength. However, this engineering feat struggled with maintenance challenges, limiting production to 300 units despite its remarkable power.
Mark Levisay from Ruckersville, VA, USA on Wikimedia
12. Union Pacific Gas Turbine-Electric
With 8,500 horsepower—and some models briefly reaching 10,700—the Union Pacific Gas Turbine-Electric locomotives thundered across the western United States between 1958 and 1961. These massive machines gained the “Big Blow” nickname from their roaring turbines, which made them unforgettable on the rails.
13. PRR S1
In the summer of 1939, as the New York World's Fair celebrated innovation, the Pennsylvania Railroad unveiled its technological pinnacle: the S1, a revolutionary 6-4-4-6 duplex steam locomotive. That singular achievement, never replicated, ultimately proved too massive for standard railway infrastructure.
MTH Pennsylvania 6-4-4-6 S1 Passenger Set by Eric's Trains
14. New York Central Hudson (J-3A)
Those streamlined 4-6-4 locomotives were masterfully crafted by Henry Dreyfuss in the late 1930s, and symbolized American railway glamour. It seems impossible that not a single New York Central Hudson J-3a survived the scrapper's torch, given their starring role powering the 20th Century Limited.
15. Milwaukee Road Class EP-2
With just five units ever produced, the Milwaukee Road EP-2 stands as one of railroading's rarest electric locomotives. Built by General Electric in 1919, these machines earned their "Bipolar" nickname from their innovative motor design. Today, a single preserved EP-2 resides at St. Louis's National Museum of Transportation.
16. British Rail Class 55
When British Rail introduced the Class 55 in 1961, they weren't just launching another locomotive—they were creating a legend. The twin Napier Deltic engines, pumping out 3,300 horsepower, gave these East Coast express haulers their unmistakable sound that would inspire generations of railway enthusiasts.
17. Norfolk & Western Y6B
At the National Museum of Transportation stands Y6b No. 2156, the last example of these mighty coal-hauling giants. Back in its heyday, this 2-8-8-2 articulated locomotive conquered Appalachia's challenging terrain, thanks to its impressive 5,500 horsepower output.
18. ALCO PA
The ALCO PA diesel-electric locomotive became a mid-century design icon with its streamlined profile and commanding presence. Serving major U.S. railroads, these distinctive passenger engines earned lasting admiration for their striking appearance and unforgettable mechanical sound.
Carlos González Torres on Wikimedia
19. Baldwin 60000
Baldwin 60000, built in 1926 as the company’s 60,000th locomotive, featured a three-cylinder compound steam system and high-pressure operation. The experimental machine demonstrated Baldwin’s engineering ambition and is now preserved at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute.
20. Southern Pacific GS-4
The Southern Pacific GS-4 showcased a streamlined 4-8-4 steam design with bold orange, red, and black livery for California’s “Daylight” passenger service. Locomotive No. 4449 stands today as the only survivor, representing a celebrated era of coast-to-coast rail travel.
