Railroader Locomotives and their real life prototypes

This guide will tell you what the real life basis of each engine are in the game Railroader. This guide will be updated when the game add new engines or existing ones are remodeled.

If I get any info wrong, please be sure to tell me so I can correct it.

Small Locomotives

This section will tackle the small locomotives with the G-16, T-17, P-18, and S-23.



G-16 2-6-0 Mogul - Real Life Basis: Tonopah and Tidewater #4


Built new by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, and arriving on the line in 1906. Tonopah & Tidewater #4 was primarily used in mixed traffic service but also helped with the line's construction, it would last on the T&T for 7 years till around 1913 when the mogul was leased, then later sold to the Santa Maria Valley Railroad after the T&T got more modern and stronger motive power in the form of 2-8-0's and 4-6-0's, It would later be renumbered to their #2, then was retired and scrapped in 1937.

(As of Update 2024.4.0, the model received a new tender light.)

Fun Fact: The Tonopah and Tidewater was founded by Francis Marion Smith, who was known as Borax Smith or The Borax King due to the mineral Borax mined in Death Valley, which made him rich. His company, 20 Mule Team Borax, is still in business today.


How I used it: Since the G-16 is your only operable engine in the beginning of a new game, it's strength is useful in mixed traffic and serving the logging camps of Connelly Creek, and then to freight trains once the other engine is repaired and you get another engine for logging duties until you get a better freight engine. Once bigger engines arrive on your railroad, this mogul can be useful on the Alarka branch handling freight trains.


T-17 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler - Real Life Basis: Prescott & Arizona Central/Sierra Railway #3


The locomotive was built by the Rodgers Locomotive and Machine Works in 1891 for the Prescott & Arizona Central Railway as the line's #3 and named after W. N. Kelly, who was the company's treasurer. But #3 had a short two year life on the P&AC before the line closed in 1893 due to the right of way being not very well constructed and competition from the AT&SF.. But since #3 was still relatively new, it would have a new owner in 1897 by the name of the Sierra Railway in California. #3 would work on the railroad's freight traffic and be converted from wood to oil in 1900, and by 1906, the line got a 2-8-0 to take over the freight trains. This allowed #3 to be reassigned to the line's passenger service between Oakdale and Tuolumne until it's retirement in the 1930's. The old Rodgers ten wheeler was spared the scrap drive of WWII and being used in a movie that would have used it in a head on collision scene with another old locomotive, As the Sierra Railway was popular with tourists, #3 was eventually returned to service for handling excursions and being used for movies and eventually tv shows. Because of the Sierra Railway being used in various movies and tv productions, #3 would be used in them more than any other engine in America such as the TV series Casey Jones in 1958 and Petticoat Junction in the 1960's into the 70's, and of course it's famous role in Back to the Future Part 3 in 1990. Today it's under the ownership of Railtown 1897 Historic Park.


Fun Fact: #3's first movie was a silent film called The Terror, and it was made in 1920.


How I used it: The T-17 is basically damaged when you start the game, at 70% condition and with no coal and water, but once fixed up, it can be used on the passenger trains due to it's quick turn of speed as you earn more money for better passenger power. Once better passenger engines are out on the mainline, it can be used to handle the Alarka branch passenger train, which I set up to pick up passengers from mainline trains at Alarka junction and then head back to Alarka.


P-18 4-6-2 Pacific - Real Life Basis: Little River Railroad & Lumber Company #110


Built by Baldwin in 1911 for the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company, this pacific had a unusual life compared to other Pacific type locomotives. While most Pacifics were used in express mail and passenger service, the #110 worked primarily on handling the line's tourist trains, though also helping with some revenue freight trains due to being built with a blind driver that allowed it to navigate the Little River Railroad's tight curves. #110 would operate on the Little River until the line closed in 1939, and one year later was bought and used by the Smoky Mountain Railroad until it's full retirement in 1954. It was left behind after the Smoky Mountain Railroad shut down in the 60's and after being found, was moved to Coldwater Michigan on where it was restored in the late 70's. Today, #110 still operates there on it's own version of the Little River Railroad.


Fun Fact: #110 is known as being the smallest Pacific built for any standard gauge railroad in America.


How I used it: Although the P-18 was used in logging and tourist service, this small pacific can be used in mixed traffic service and is a good commuter/express engine based on experience. But due to it's low power, it'll struggle with a long line of Osgood Bradleys, so I recommend using it with the 1900 Open end pullmans on commuter service or a mini express with 1893 Pullman palace cars and a observation.


S-23 0-6-0 Switcher - Real Life Basis: C&NW M-1 0-6-0


The class M-1 0-6-0's were built for the C&NW between 1905 to 1917 by Baldwin and used like many other switchers, to arrange both freight and passenger trains on wherever division they were assigned to, the M-1's would last into the 40's and 50's until the new diesel switchers came in and replaced them, with no surviving classmates, though several switchers from other roads have landed in preservation at the end of steam.

Fun Fact: Most 0-6-0's often found work after being retired from class ones in either Industrial use or on shortlines hauling freight, which gave them more of a chance to land in preservation if they were lucky.


How I used it: The S-23 is useful for a LOT of switching, I normally assign one to the yard at Bryson, so it can set up trains heading towards the east or western ends of the route as well as serving the local industries. Plus, I find it perfect to buy as your first locomotive from the catalog.

Medium Sized Locomotives Section One

This section (1) will cover the Medium sized locomotives including the K-28st, K-35, T-21, and A-26.



K-28st 2-8-2st Logging Saddletank Engine - Real Life Basis: Hammond Lumber Company #17


The real life version of this locomotive was constructed by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1929 for the Crosset Lumber Company as their #11, but when it was delivered, much of the Crossett timber lands suffered a series of major fires known as the Tillamook Burn, and #11 worked through the 1930s and early 1940s hauling out timber salvaged from the burn. Eventually it was sold in 1942 to the Hammond Lumber Company in California and was renumbered to 17, but 3 years after it's arrival, a twist of fate both put it's future in jeopardy, but also saved it from the cutters torch. In the Fall of 1945, #17 was working at a logging camp, when a forest fire destroyed several miles of tracks and bridges leaving the tank engine stuck in the woods. After realizing it was not cost effective to repair the track and the bridges just to bring a old logging tank out of the woods and be cut up for scrap, Hammond Lumber abandoned #17 in the forest and it wouldn't be seen again for 20 years. In 1965, a local mill owner by the name of Gus Peterson formed the Klamath & Hoppow Valley Railroad and had #17 trucked out piece by piece from the abandoned logging camp, put back together, and restored #17 to operate on the line along with a pair of Pickering Lumber Company engines, being 3 truck Heisler #10 and 3 truck Shay #11. They would eventually land on the Mount Rainer Scenic Railroad where it resides today.


Fun Fact: Although the 2-8-2 Logging Saddle tanks are nicknamed Minarets, the engines that received that nickname were actually 2-10-2st type locomotives. So the 2-8-2st is basically a logging tank engine, not a Minaret.


How I used it: Even though this engine has the lowest amount of fuel and water capacity in the game, I use it normally around the Whittier Lumber Mill and Connelly Creek branch, as it can easily service the camps and switch cars to the loading bays at the mill. And with the coal conveyor and water column close by, running out of water or fuel won't be a issue.


K-35 2-8-2 Industrial Mikado - Real Life Basis: McCloud River Railroad #19


Built by Baldwin in 1915 as a 90t Industrial Mikado, she was ordered and shipped to the Caddo and Choctaw Railroad as their #4 and placed into service handling both log and freight trains till it was sold to the Choctaw River Lumber Company, then sold to the United States Smelting, Refining and Mining Company on where it was relocated to work on a silver mining railroad line in Mexico as well as converted from oil to coal firing. It would eventually return back to the states in the mid 1920's as it became part of the McCloud River Railroad and was given the number 19, the line even had a similar engine working on the line at the same time known as #18, though it was built in 1914, a year before #19 was constructed. But when #19 was being repaired, the crews noticed that the engine had bullet holes, leading to a theory that the Mikado had a run in with Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. #19 would work with #18 along with the rest of the McCloud Steam Fleet till it was sold to the Yreka Western with #18 and retired in 1963. Thankfully, the YW had a new plan for it and it was with excursion trains as the Mikado was restored and pull them not only on the Yreka Western, but also on the Oregon Pacific & Eastern and even the McCloud River Railroad. During it's stint on the OP&E in the 1970's, #19 would be the main engine used in the 1973 film, Emperor of the North staring Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin, and Keith Carradine which would make it recognizable by many who seen the film. #19 last operated in 2008 and eventually after a custody battle, it was sold to the Age of Steam Roundhouse with plans to get the engine back into operational condition.


Fun Fact: Due to #19 being the main train in the film Emperor of the North, most people often nicknamed it, Shack's train, after the ruthless hobo killing conductor The Shack, who was played by Borgnine.


How I used it: This is the only tender Mikado we have in the game as right now, this engine is quite useful on replacing the G-16 and C-25 on mainline freights until bigger power comes in. It can also run log trains from Walker and handle pulpwood trains to the industries at Sylva.


T-21 4-6-0 - Real Life Basis: Illinois Central Class 371 Ten Wheeler


Manufactured by the Rodgers Locomotive and Machine works, the class 371's of the Illinois Central were high stepping express passenger engines that would get the IC ready to enter the 20th Century, but one member of the class would leave a lasting impact on the class as a whole. In late April of 1900, John Luther Jones, aka, Casey Jones and his fireman Sam Webb were in charge of 371 class 4-6-0 #382, which was on a passenger train running behind schedule, although Casey and Sam were able to get the Rodgers Ten Wheeler up to a high speed and began to make up time, a freight train was heading into a siding at Vaughan to let Casey's train pass, but a broken airhose would cause the Caboose and 3 freight cars to get stranded on the mainline. By the time Casey and Sam saw the caboose ahead of them, it would be too late to stop. Casey ordered Sam to jump, and Casey's last actions was him putting the train in emergency brakes and blowing the whistle as 382 plowed through the caboose and the 3 freight cars. Thanks to Casey, there was only injuries on the people affected by the crash, but there was one fatality, and that was Casey himself with him still holding the whistle cord and air brake lever. 382 wasn't destroyed in the crash, so it was repaired and put back to service, but strange things were happening to #382 as it kept having accidents, with the railroad's employees saying that it was cursed with the ghost of Casey Jones. But with the arrival of Atlantics and Pacifics on the IC roster, all the 371's were retired by the mid 30's and scrapped, and not even 382 was saved for preservation.


Fun Fact: Due to the 382's speed, it was given the nickname, Cannonball.


How I used it: Express trains with the 1893 palace cars until you get the A-26.

A-26 4-4-2 - Real Life Basis: Cotton Belt E-1 Atlantic


Introduced by the St. Louis Southwestern Railroad, or known as the Cotton Belt, the class E-1 4-4-2 Atlantics were built by Baldwin in 1909 with 6 members with numbers 600 to 605, and like all Atlantics, they were used on the Cotton Belt's express passenger trains. Originally built to run on coal, they were later converted to run on oil like most Southwestern steam power, plus they were also modified by the Cotton belt in their own shops by replacing their Stevenson valve gear to a Walschaert's, as well being equipped with Superheaters. But with the arrival of more powerful passenger engines and the switch from wooden coaches to steel ones, the first two members, #600 and #603 were retired from service in the 30's, with the other 4 members lasting till after WWII, with #602 being scrapped in 1948, #605 and #604 in 1949, with the last member, #601, lasting on the roster until it was retired in 1952 and scrapped.

Fun Fact: When the Devs of Transport Fever 2 announced a console version of the game, many of the models on the PC version of the game received new designs, including the Atlantic, which gained a body similar to the E-1, plus also having a prototypical number of one of them, #602.


How I used it: Two words, Express trains. Though once the P-43 is brought in, it can be useful on mainline commuter trains.

Medium Sized Locomotives Section Two

This section (2) will cover the other medium sized locomotives including the G-26, C-25, C-46, C-55, and the S-51.

G-25 2-6-0 - Real Life Basis: Kewaunee, Green Bay & Western/GB&W Class R Mogul


Constructed by Alco's Schenectady works in 1914, a pair of what the KGB&W called the Class R, were a pair of standard Moguls, designed to do mixed traffic and freight trains and having the numbers of 38 and 39. After some years of service, the Green Bay & Western had the moguls upgraded with piston valves operated by Walschaerts gear and superheaters and receiving new numbers, with 38 and 39 being renumbered to 257 and 258. However the moguls wouldn't last much longer in service as they were starting to show their age with the both of them eventually being scrapped by the early 40's


Fun Fact: This engine is basically the mascot for the Mogul cult on the Railroader discord.


How I used it: Like the G-16, the G-25 is useful in mixed traffic service and even good on commuter trains with the Osgood bradleys, though when you pass the A-26 to that service, the G-25 can still be useful on small to medium freights. And if paired with a A-23 in a save, it can handle the Alarka branch freights.


C-25 2-8-0 - Real Life Basis: Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Consolidation #26


A product of Baldwin, the #26 was built in 1912 for the Ma&Pa railroad to tackle freight service on it's winding route between York and Hanover Pennsylvania along with the line's fleet of older motive power. During it's time on the Ma&Pa, #26 was given modifications such as adding flange lubricators, a new 450 watt dynamo for the electric headlight and tenderlight, and new wooden cab in 1920 which later was replaced by a steel one in 1935. It would remain in service on the Ma&Pa till 1947 when it was finally retired and scrapped in favor of new diesel power.


Fun Fact: The Ma&Pa was also known for having antique equipment on it's roster for most of it's life, until it's steam fleet was retired by the early 50's.


How I used it: The C-25 is a step up for freight hauling from the G-16, and with that extra power, you can use it when you start servicing the Robinson Gap Coal mines till you get bigger motive power. And when that happens, it can be used on handling hoppers of copper ore on the Alarka branch.


C-46 2-8-0 - Real Life Basis: Southern Railway Ks-1 Consolidation


Built both by Alco and Baldwin, the Ks-1's were hard working Connies that help the Southern Railway get started in the 20th century with them assigned to various sectors across the system. With the arrival of larger motive power on the mainline, the Ks-1's found work on secondary lines and branches, such as the Murphy branch which was home to #630, built by Alco, and #722, built by Baldwin. But with the Southern rapidly dieselizing in the 1950's, both #630 and #722 were sold to the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad that was running 11 miles of track between Johnson City and Elizabethton Tennessee, which was all that was left after their narrow gauge line to Cranberry N. C. was abandoned in 1950. Both #630 and #722 had their tenders modified to make it easier for crews to operate them in reverse and also were renumbered with 630 becoming #207 and 722 becoming #208. They would work hauling freight on the Tweetsie till the mid 60's when they were repatriated back to the Southern for their newly formed Steam program. Both receiving their original numbers back and liveries, except 722 which was painted like the engine that started the program, Southern Railway 2-8-2 #4501. Both engines eventually landed new homes after they were replaced by larger power on the excursions. #630 is under the ownership of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum with #4501 and #722 is under the ownership of the Great Smoky Mountains Railway, which operates excursions on the tracks of the Murphy branch, aka 630's and 722's old stomping grounds.


Fun Fact: Since the in-game route is based on the Southern's Murphy branch, the C-46 will fit nicely in the region the real life class once worked before.


How I used it: With 46k tractive effort, this 2-8-0 is quite good on handling freight trains, especially doubling heading with another C-46.


C-55 2-8-0 - Real Life Basis: Lake Superior & Ishpeming SC-1 Consolidation


Manufactured by Baldwin in 1916, the SC-1's would be a legendary engine that worked on the LS&I. Primarily built to work on heavy iron ore trains from the mines to the docks where the ore was transferred to large ships, they also worked on handling regular freight trains as well and would last until the early 60's on where they would be retired in favor of diesels. With a surplus of LS&I steam engines and a branch line of said railroad being closed, this would lay the foundation of the Marquette & Huron Mountain railroad, which would use the connies along the branch. The hope was that a resort would be built nearby the railroad, which would provide the M&HM the ability to transport tourists and resort guests to and from the complex. But with the resort's plans being cancelled and the railroad being in a remote spot, the line would close in 1987. Thankfully the steam engines that were owned by the line eventually found homes, such as #34 which landed in the ownership of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, on where it was restored, repainted and renumbered as Western Maryland #734.


Fun Fact: Although the engine in game is a protolance, the engine mixes the tender of the SC-1, with the locomotive similar to WMSR #734. (As of 3/23/24, this engine has been revamped to look like a real SC-1.)


How I used it: It's been used quite a lot in my saves for heavy coal drags from the mine to the interchange at Sylva or East Whittier. Considering this engine was designed for dragging a long cut of iron ore hoppers, it can still do the job on hauling long consists of black diamonds from the Robinson Gap coal mine to the interchange.

(Development Era to 3/22/24)



(3/23/24 - Present)








S-51 0-8-0 - Real Life Basis: USRA Standard 0-8-0 Switcher (Southern Railway Spec)


The second type of switcher locomotive in the USRA standard range of locomotives, the 0-8-0 is basically bigger than the 0-6-0, though the model only came up to 175 units being built between 1918 till the USRA gave the railroads back to private control in 1920. However, over 1,200 copies were built by Lima, Alco, and Baldwin for several railroads, with the New Haven having the most of the type built for them with both originals and copies. But like all steam switchers, changes came in the 1940's and 1950's, as they were taken out of service and being replaced by the diesel switcher. While most 0-8-0's were scrapped, most found work in Industrial use. One member of this type, Republic Steel Corp. #285, is owned by the Kentucky Railway Museum. (The model in game is based on the USRA 0-8-0's built for and later modified by the Southern Railway.)

Fun Fact: A well known example of 0-8-0's in Industrial use was at Northwestern Steel & Wire, where several former Grand Trunk Western 0-8-0's would work at the complex until their retirements by the 1970's.


How I used it: When you unlock the line east of Whittier, the S-51 can be used to service the industries at Dillsboro, along with the Paperboard Mill and Tannery at Sylva. It can also be very useful in switching out the interchange at Sylva as well.

Large Sized Locomotives

This section will cover the Large sized locomotives including the P-43, D-46, and B-65

P-43 4-6-2 - Real Life Basis: Erie Railroad K5 Pacific (Remodeled to the USRA Heavy Pacific)


Built in 1919 and based off the USRA Heavy Pacific design, the K5 were the last design of 4-6-2's on the Erie system. Like most Pacifics, they were used on the railroad's express trains such as the Erie Limited. Due to the success of the K5's, the Erie ordered a new set of the K5's with improvements classing them as K5A's, although one engine with the classification K5B was built as well, it would eventually be downgraded to K5A specs. With the Erie dieselizing after WWII, none of the K5's or any of the K5A Pacifics survived into preservation, though a similar engine, Southern Railway #1401 is a close resemblance to the K5's, despite the 1401 and the K5's having different tenders, valve gear, and paint. But the 1401 stands as a example of a loss class of the USRA Standard Range.


Fun Fact: Although part of the USRA standard range of locomotives, the Erie was the only railroad to have original USRA spec heavy Pacifics.


How I used it: This is the high grade express train locomotive, once you buy it, your express train is basically complete, though if needed, can handle some freights. Though now that there's a stronger 4-6-2 from Expermiental 2024.6.8. It can also be used on commuter trains while the stronger 4-6-2 does express trains.

(As of 1/31/25, the model has been remodeled into a stock USRA Heavy Pacific)

(Development Era - 1/30/25)
1/31/25 - Present




D-46 2-10-0 - Real Life Basis: Great Western/Strasburg Railroad Decapod #90


Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June of 1924, #90 would become the largest engine for it's sole customer, the Great Western Railway of Colorado. #90 was also the first engine to work on the line fitted with Superheaters straight from the factory and was used on 40 to 50 car trains carrying the line's main source of traffic, sugar beets. During WWII, #90 and the rest of the GWR fleet were modified with extended smokeboxes to allow them to work on low grade coal and they would last right till the 50's when the Great Western acquired diesels to replace it's steam fleet, thankfully the Great Western's steam roster was kept as back up motive power as well to be used on excursions, with one excursion with #90 in charge had a special passenger aboard, the Strasburg Railroad's Chief Mechanical Officer, who after seeing #90's performance managed to make a deal with the GWR on that when #90 was fully retired, the Strasburg Railroad would take it. And when #90 was reitred fully by 1967, the Decapod was bought by the Strasburg for $23,000, meaning #90 escaped the cutters torch and now was a preserved engine. #90 would arrive on the Strasburg in May of the same year and entered service on May 13th. However #90 would actually be called up for a special favor, as Ross Rolland asked the Strasburg to let him borrow #90 to help his excursion engine CPR #1278 on the line beyond Jim Thrope, PA. The Strasburg allowed it and #90 would double head with #1278 for a while, once the excursions were done, #90 returned back to the Strasburg and remained there ever since. Over the years, #90 had received various modifications, such as the removal of her extended smokebox for both better visibility and the fact the line used better grade coal, and of course, being fitted with a Reading 6 chime whistle, which has become her recognizable voice.


Fun Fact: The term Deca in Decapod means ten and the full word Decapod means a cephalopod mollusk with ten arms.


How I used it: When bought, I use it primarily on freight trains from the Interchange at East Whittier or Sylva to Bryson and return due to the tender only having a 8k capacity of water. While strong, it's best to not overload it when you use it on a return run to Sylva. And if you get GP9's, it can basically be a good helper locomotive on the Red Marble Grade.


B-65 2-8-4 - Real Life Basis: L&N Class M-1 (Big Emma) Berkshire *Baldwin Build*


Known as the most expensive Berkshires built, the class M-1's were ordered by the Louisville and Nashville and constructed both by Baldwin and Lima between 1942 to 1949 with the first batch of 20 built by Baldwin and the rest by Lima, the same company that introduced the locomotive type in the mid 20's. The reason why the M-1's were the most expensive Berkshires built was because they were fitted with the most modern steam tech at the time, with the last batch of them costing $268,464 per engine, which accounts to $3.3 million in today's currency. The M-1's were used on handling fast freights and coal drags, but since the 2-8-4's were designed for mixed traffic, they also worked on passenger service such as the Southland and Flamingo, and because of their classification, the L&N's crews nicknamed them as Big Emmas. But since they were late steam engine designs, they would have short lives with the last being retired and scrapped by 1957. Although the engines became extinct, 7 tenders were reused for MOW work, and 5 were later converted to being used as Auxiliary tenders which themselves have been behind several famous excursion locomotives, such as N&W Class J #611, C&O Greenbrier #614, and even far out as the Midwest behind Milwaukee Road S-3 #261 & Nickel Plate Road Mikado #587.

(This is a Baldwin build of the locomotive due to the Baldwin style builders plate on the smokebox sides)


Fun Fact: During C&0 2716's restoration, the engine was temporary cosmetically altered as a Big Emma, including on what would be the next member of the class, #1992. So it's possible that #2716 could masquerade as a Big Emma on a future excursion after it's restoration is complete.


How I used it: Since the Big Emma is the equivalent to a modern day Dash 8, this engine can be used on Passenger trains or heavy freight, especially on running trains from Bryson to Andrews and back.

Locomotives - Update 2024.3.0

This section is for locomotives added in Update 2024.3.0


A-23 4-4-0 American - Real Life Basis: Atlanta Birmingham & Atlantic Class 30/W&LE D-5




The class 30's of the AB&A railroad were built by Baldwin in 1914 with 5 members numbered 30 to 35 and worked until the AB&A was taken over by the Wheeling & Lake Erie in 1924. 3 were kept in use by the W&LE till their scrapping in the 1930's while a pair were sold to new owners with one eventually sold to work in Mexico, and the last one that was still around was used for the successor of the AB&A, the Atlanta, Birmingham & Coast until being cut up in 1942.


Fun Fact: Even though the 4-4-0 by the time the 20th century arrived was considered obsolete with more modern passenger power, the Chicago & Illinois Midland ordered a trio of 4-4-0's for their passenger service between Springfield and Peoria IL in 1927, which were the last American types built for any US Railroad.


How I used them: If you sell the starter mogul and ten wheeler, (after doing the single passenger run) and keeping your $5k starting cash, you'll basically have a stronger engine and one ready to work once bought. Though with a bigger loan you can get another engine like a G-25 mogul to do the freights while the A-23 can be used on mainline passenger service until being bumped off by more modern power, when that happens, it can be reassigned to handling passenger service on the Alarka branch while the G-25 Mogul does the branch's freight trains.


T-22 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler - Real Life Basis: Southern Railway F-1 Class




Built in the 1890's for the Richmond and Danville Railroad, 5 of these 4-6-0's, numbered 316 to 322, were used in anything from fast passenger and mail trains to local freight trains into the days of the Southern railway on where they gained new numbers of 955 to 961 and many were upgrade to the Southern's custom valve gear named after their road, and lasted on the Southern until their scrapping between 1932 to 1939.


Fun Fact: One of these engines ran from Charlottesville to Alexandria, which is 106 miles between them, in one hour and fifty-five minutes with only one stop for water while hauling a 8 car passenger train.


How I used them: Although not having as much power as the T-21, the T-22 makes up for it in better water and coal capacity. And with it being suited for mixed traffic, you can basically have it handle a mixed service. And it can serve as a good commuter locomotive while the A-26 or the even the T-21 handles the mainline express. But once those express engines are bumped off by the pacific and in charge of commuter trains, the T-22 can be useful as a backup engine in case of a.... accident.


F-71 2-10-2 Santa Fe - Real Life Basis: Southern Railway Ss Class *ALCO Build*




Constructed by Baldwin and Alco in 1917, 80 members (55 from Baldwin and the rest from Alco) in total with numbers 5000 to 5079 were massive engines that were used on what most 2-10-2's did, heavy drag or bulk load trains, and were used on the challenging Blue Ridge & Saluda Grades of the Southern as helper locomotives to help push both freight and passenger trains up. They continued to serve the Southern till after WWII as diesels eventually made them obsolete with no examples being preserved.

(This model being a ALCO build due to the ALCO style builders plate on the smokebox sides.)


Fun Fact: One member of the class, #5046 was experimented in 1918 as a 'tractor' engine, with a 2-6-2 wheel arrangement under it's tender to increase it's tractive effort for it's helper service, with it's setup similar to the Ill fated Triplex locomotives. The 5046 would work with it's tractor tender until was finally removed in 1926 after it was deemed unsuccessful.


How I used it: Since this engine class is basically stronger than the B-65, this locomotive can handle a medium size coal drag or mixed freight. But it's best when a pair are assigned on a train heading up the Red Marble grade, I found a pair of these can easily handle a 16 car Pulpwood train with a caboose from the Graham County railroad up the grade towards Snowbird paper.

Locomotives - (Steam) Update 2024.6.11

This section of the guide contains the steam locomotives released for the 2024.6.11 update, which are the steam locomotives, being the C-40 and the P-48.


C-40 4-8-0 Twelve Wheeler - Real Life Basis: Norfolk & Western Class M

Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works between 1906 to 1907, the Norfolk & Western Railway ordered over a 120 of the 4-8-0's, calling the M class, with numbers 375 to 499. These were used by the N&W on mainline freight trains and coal drags for several years proving their design useful for heavy freight service. But with the arrival of larger 4-8-2's and the more famous Class A 2-6-6-4's and class Y 2-8-8-2's, many of the M class were retired, though several were kept in service on many of the branch lines the N&W operated on hauling mixed trains. Because of their M classification, the railroad often nicknamed the class as Mollies. But by the late 50's as the N&W began to dieselize, even the long standing 4-8-0's began to be withdrawn until the last one was retired in 1957. Thankfully, one of the class M's, #475, eventually would land in preservation and then be acquired by the Strasburg Railroad on where it received a restoration into operating condition, on where it has become the only operable 4-8-0 in North America and one of the longest operable N&W engines in preservation.

Fun Fact: In August 1957, No. 475 was backdated to look like an 1880s locomotive with brass boiler bands, a fake diamond smokestack and oil headlamp for the 75th anniversary of Roanoke, which was an event known as the Diamond Jubilee.

How I used it: The 4-8-0 is basically a good compromise in price and power, with it more powerful than the K-35 Mikado and cheaper than the D-46 Decapod. It can handle both freight trains and coal drags just like the real life prototype did.



P-48 4-6-2 Pacific - Real Life Basis: Southern Railway PS-4

Constructed by the American Locomotive Company between 1923 to 1928 with a total of 64 built, the PS-4's were the Southern Railway's top link express passenger locomotives on many of their famous trains, including one train on where they would garner the most fame, that train being the Crescent Limited. Running from New York City down south to New Orleans, the train was decked out in a special two-tone green livery and 4 of the PS-4's #1393 to #1396 were given a special paint scheme and decals. But however, when the service debuted on October 21th 1929, the stock market crashed 3 days later resulting in the great depression. The Crescent limited eventually fell to the economic hardships of the 30's and was simply renamed the Crescent. By the late 40's, all the Southern's passenger trains were taken over by new EMD E-Series passenger diesels with their fate being the scrappers torch, all except for one. Thanks to Graham Claytor, PS-4 #1401 was spared for preservation and was put on static display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History on where it remains today.

Fun Fact: The #1401 had quite the history when it was in service. Other than passenger service, it was one of 8 engines that handled the funeral train for President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, and it's service was almost brought to a end after hitting a truck stalled on a crossing in 1942 resulting it and another PS-4 derailing. Fortunately it was rerailed and eventually repaired.

How I used it: With it being the most powerful passenger oriented steamer for the time being, it can take over on a express train with the same consist used by the P-43. But using a pair might be the best option if you have a lengthy express consist going over Red Marble.

Diesel Locomotives (Launch)

This section contains the Diesel locomotives in the game such as the GP9 and SW1. (These diesels coming from the game's launch)

EMD GP9


Introduced by EMD in 1954, the GP9 were built as the sucessor to the GP7 which was introduced in the late 40's, designed for their General Purpose line of locomotives, they along with other diesels by EMD, Fairbanks, and Alco would basically bring the age of steam to it's end in 1960. With both a cab unit and booster unit on offer, they were a successful diesel engine for the company. Although bought to be used in freight service, some GP9's were fitted with steam generators to be used on secondary passenger trains and commuter trains, which was the case on the last steam railroad in America, the Norfolk & Western, were passenger GP9's bumped off the line's steamline class J Northerns into freight service or the deadline. With their bigger sibling, the SD9, the GP9's had a long successful career into the 1960's and 1970's. But by the 80's, with the more modern looking GP38-2's, the GP9 were basically looking out of date, and like the steam engines they replaced, they too were retired and sold for scrap. However, several GP9's found homes in Museums, tourist railroads, and even on shortlines. But however, some of the GP9's bought often become a source of spare parts to keep other members of their class running, but the companies that still own them want to be sure to keep one of them in active service for many years to come.


Fun Fact: Some GP9's often had the top part of the hood get cut off to make them look like the GP38-2's for better visibility, that practice is known as chopnosing.


How I used them: Though these are end game tier as of right now, two to four of these lashed up can easily handle any freight given to them, and if you got the I2I mod installed, these will be useful on a Bridge line express freight.


EMD SW1 *Southern Modern Variant*


Brought into the market in 1938, the SW1 would become the successor to the eariler SC & SW switcher diesel locomotives produced by EMC, later rebranded as EMD. Using a EMD 6-567B V6 diesel engine, these switchers were capable of 600hp and proved themselves when bought by their customers, with the SW1 showing reliability, ease of maintenance, and cheaper running costs compared to the smokey steam switchers. Although ordered by several railroad companies, several industrial railroads and terminal railroads found them useful from arranging cars around large industrial complexes to bring cuts of passenger cars to and from large passenger terminals. They continued to be built till 1953 with no members being built between 1943 to 1945 due to WWII. By then, the SW7 and SW8 appeared on the locomotive scene and the SW1 looked like old news, resulting in them being sold off to new owners or the scrapyard. Many SW1's eventually found homes at various museums, tourist lines, and even a few are still working in Industrial service.


Fun Fact: With the C-46 being based off a Southern Ks-1, the SW1 would fit well in the game's region as the model itself is based on a Southern unit.


How I used it: Since it is a switcher, I found it useful for serving the industries of Wilmot, Whittier, and Ela due to the short distances between them, especially after installing a fuel pump at the East Whitter engine house. It also can switch around the interchange and industries of Sylva and Dillsboro, around the yard and industries at Bryson and Andrews, as well as a switcher for the mines and industries around Alarka, along with moving empty coal hoppers from Andrews up to the coal mine.

Diesel Locomotives - Update 2024.6.11

Only one diesel was added for this update, and one that surpasses all steam engines in terms of power.

EMD SD7

The SD7, SD short for Special Duty, was the larger diesel to the GP7. The difference between the GP and SD lines being that the GP's came with a pair of 2 axle power trucks while the SD's came with a pair of 3 axle power trucks. Built from 1951 to 1953, they along with the GP7's and other freight diesels were one of many that would end the age of steam across America with the Southern Pacific having the largest amount of them in service, being 42. Although productions for them stopped in 1953 with the arrival of the SD9, the SD7's would continue serving on freight trains with both first and second generation freight diesels during the 50's and 60's, but retirement for them came around the 1970's and 1980's with models like the GP38-2 and SD40-2's. Several have landed in preservation with a few still handling freight on shortline railroads.

Fun Fact: The Southern Pacific had a variant of the SD7's called the SD7R, which were SD7's rebuilt with upgraded electronics and traction motors, along with their 567B prime mover replaced with the 645CE.

How I used it: With it more powerful than the GP9's, it's basically a upgrade. With 2 or 4 of them in a lash up, they can handle all types of freight with little issues.

[girlweapon]

One of the last N&W lines to operate solely with M class (or C-40 here) locomotives was the Abingdon Branch, which was in western North Carolina just like the branch line this game is based on.

[FalloutRaider4Gaming]

Another fun fact about N&W 475 (C-40) is that it starred in the movie Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)

[Pensfanvw]

Thanks for the timely update 👍

[HeavyPootisMan2]

-Changelog- Added new C-40, P-48, SD7, and edited the section of the P-43

[Pizzaguy]

yeah I know there are none but its just strange considering how common they were at the time. although its still a very big collection the developers have made so I have no right to complain

[Sleeper____]

Weird fact about the C-46, is that it should really be the C-47 but they didn't round up the tractive effort like every other locomotive.

[HeavyPootisMan2]

@pizzaguy

There isn't any road mikes in game at this time, unless you use the K-35 for mainline freights like I sometimes do. Though the devs might add one later on.

[Pizzaguy]

bah! were are my USRA mikados!!!

[edwardo]

hey! absolutely love this guide, i seriously read this at least once a day while playing railroader or just reading about the history of locomotives for fun. amazing effort! the G-25 is labeled as a G-26 a fews times in its section though, hahaha. thats just about the only thing ive read in this that was incorrect, seriously i love this guide so much.

[Sleeper____]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think more of the smaller class of LS&I connies (2X numbering series) exist than the large ones, which is quite odd.