As railroads around the world haul larger quantities of freight efficiently, the title of world's most powerful locomotive has often been passed to new generations of rolling stock.
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There are many ways in which a locomotive can be the largest: the heaviest, longest, most cylinders, most power, or most wheels. It is often defined as the longest in length, but there is even a debate on whether or not to include the tender, which is equivalent to the fuel tank of a diesel, in the measurement. To establish the "largest" category, several factors take precedence: overall weight, which gives traction over driving axles; size (length & height of engine itself); and power, which may be in terms of raw horsepower, tractive effort, available power at axles (shaft horsepower) or, in the case of steam locomotives, available steam on a sustained basis.
List[]
| Image | Locomotive Class(es) (And Names) | Railway | Series | Manufacturer(s) | Dates | Motive power | Wheel arrangement | Weight | Tractive Effort/Force | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAG-12 | Indian Railways | WAG | Alstom prima | 2020–present | 25KV 50 Hz AC | 180 tonnes | 158,715 pounds-force (706 kN) | 12,000 hp | New generation engine operated through twin engines | ||
|
China Railways HXD1D prototype | None (experimental) | N/A | CSR Zhuzhou | Before 2012 | Electric | Co'Co' | 77,694 pounds-force (346 kN) | 12,874 horsepower (9,600 kW) | Currently stored in Zhuzhou plant. | |
| 060-EA | Romanian Railways (CFR) and numerous private railways in Romania and Hungary | 40 (060-EA): 120 km/h, 41 (060-EA1): 160 km/h, 42: 200 km/h | ASEA (first ten), Electroputere Craiova (the rest, approx. 1,000) | 1965-91 | Electric | Co'Co' | 120 tonnes (132 short tons) | 93,000 pounds-force (414 kN) | 6,839 horsepower (5,100 kW) | Powerful locomotive in the 1970s; high continuous tractive effort. | |
|
2-10-10-2 | Santa Fe and Virginian Railway | 3000-3009 (Santa Fe) 800-809 (Virginian) | Baldwin Locomotive Works (Santa Fe)
American Locomotive Company (Virginian) |
1911-1912, 1918 | Steam | 2-10-10-2 | 415 tonnes (457 short tons) | 175,000 pounds-force (778 kN) simple; 147,200 pounds-force (655 kN) compound | N/A | Weight and performance figures listed for the Virginian variant, as that locomotive was the heavier and more powerful of the two. |
| 2ES10S (3ES10) | Russian Railways | N/A | Ural Locomotives | 2014–present | Electric | 3xBo'Bo' | 300 tonnes (331 short tons) | 264,375 pounds-force (1,176 kN) | 17,701 horsepower (13,200 kW) 1-hour rating | Three sections modification of 2ES10. | |
| 4E5K | Russian Railways | N/A | Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant | 2014–present | Electric | 4xBo'Bo' | 392 tonnes (432 short tons) | 304,840 pounds-force (1,356 kN) | 17,594 horsepower (13,120 kW) 1-hour rating | Four sections modification of E5K. | |
| AD43C | Iranian Railways (RAI) | 2001-2100 | Alstom | 2001 | Diesel electric | Co'Co' | 120 tonnes (132 short tons) | 122,000 pounds-force (543 kN) | 4,300 horsepower (3,207 kW) | About 50 locomotives are stopped because of failures in the RK 215 diesel engines | |
|
AD60 class | New South Wales Government Railways | 6001-6042 | Beyer, Peacock & Company | 1952–1954, 1956 | Steam | 4-8-4+4-8-4 | 255 tonnes (281 short tons) | 9,575 pounds-force (265 kN) | 5,930 horsepower (4,422 kW) | Largest steam locomotive ever operated in Australia |
| Ae 6/6 | Swiss Federal Railways | 11401-11520 | SLM, MFO/BBC | 1952; 1955–66 | Electric | Co'Co' | 120 tonnes (132 short tons) | 88,125 pounds-force (392 kN) | 5,766 horsepower (4,300 kW) continuous | Still in operation as of October 2012 | |
| Ae 6/8 | BLS, Switzerland | 201-208 | SLM / Sécheron | 1939 | Electric | (1'Co)(Co1') | 140 tonnes (154 short tons) | 79,360 pounds-force (353 kN) | 5,914 horsepower (4,410 kW) 1-hour rating | Two remain in working order as heritage locos | |
| Ae 8/8 | BLS, Switzerland | 271-275 | SLM / BBC | 1959-66 | Electric | (Bo)(Bo)+(Bo)(Bo) | 160 tonnes (176 short tons) | 105,885 pounds-force (471 kN) | 8,683 horsepower (6,475 kW) 1-hour rating | One preserved in working order. | |
| Ae 8/14 | Swiss Federal Railways | 11852 | SLM, MFO/BBC | 1939 | Electric | (1'A)A1'A(A1')+(1'A)A1'A(A1') | 236 tonnes (260 short tons) | 110,160 pounds-force (490 kN) | 10,945 horsepower (8,162 kW) 1-hour rating; 10,255 horsepower (7,647 kW) continuous | Exhibit at Swiss Museum of Transport | |
|
Allegheny | Chesapeake & Ohio Railway | 1600-1659 (C&O), 900-907 (VGN) | Lima Locomotive Works | 1941–48 | Steam | 2-6-6-6 | 544 tonnes (600 short tons) | 110,000 pounds-force (489 kN) | 7,500 horsepower (5,593 kW) | Two on static display |
|
Big Blow | Union Pacific | 1-30 (control cab), 1B-30B (turbine unit) | General Electric | 1958–61 | Gas turbine-electric | C-C+C-C | 425 tonnes (468 short tons) | 212,312 pounds-force (944 kN) | 8,469 horsepower (6,315 kW); over 10,000 hp at lower altitude and ambient temperatures (turbine only) | Two preserved in museums; Surpassed by GT1s. |
|
Big Boy | Union Pacific | 4000-4024 | ALCO | 1941-–44 | Steam | 4-8-8-4 | 548 tonnes (604 short tons) | 135,375 pounds-force (602 kN) | 6,290 horsepower (4,690 kW) | Several on static display. No. 4014 in service with the UP Heritage Steam collection |
| BJ 6001 | China Railway | 北京6001 | Beijing Feb. 7th | 1969 | Diesel-hydraulic | D'D' | N/A | N/A | 5,900 horsepower (4,400 kW) | Most powerful diesel-hydraulic locomotive ever built. | |
|
Challenger | Union Pacific | 3950-3999 | ALCO | 1936–43 | Steam | 4-6-6-4 | 485 tonnes (535 short tons) | 97,350 pounds-force (433 kN) | 5,000 horsepower (3,728 kW) | Two locomotives preserved, one on static display. Union Pacific 3985 operated for company PR and occasional excursion service from 1981-2010. Donated to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America in April 2022 |
| China Railways DF8DJ | China Railways | DF8DJ0001, later DF8B5672 | CSR Ziyang | 2006 | Diesel-electric | Co'Co' | 150 tonnes (165 short tons; 148 long tons) | 130,389 pounds-force (580 kN) starting
98,916 pounds-force (440 kN) continuous |
6,437 horsepower (4,800 kW) | Most powerful single-engine diesel locomotive ever built. | |
| China Railways HXD1 | China Railway | HXD10001 - HXD10220 | CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive, Siemens | 2006–08 | Electric | Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo' | 200 tonnes (220 short tons) | 170,000 pounds-force (756 kN) starting; 111,000 pounds-force (494 kN) continuous | 12,874 horsepower (9,600 kW) | N/A | |
| China Railways HXD1B | China Railway | HXD1B0001-HXD1B0500 | CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive, Siemens | 2009– | Electric | Co'Co' | 200 tonnes (220 short tons) | N/A | 12,874 horsepower (9,600 kW) | One of the most powerful single-frame locomotives currently in series production. | |
| China Railways HXD1C | China Railway | HXD1C0001-HXD1C0990 | CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive, Siemens | 2009– | Electric | Co'Co' | 150 tonnes (165 short tons) | 170,000 pounds-force (756 kN) starting; 111,000 pounds-force (494 kN) continuous | 9,655 horsepower (7,200 kW) | N/A | |
| China Railways HXD2 | China Railway | HXD20001-
HXD20180 |
Datong Electric Locomotive, Alstom | 2006–08 | Electric | Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo' | 200 tonnes (220 short tons) | 170,000 pounds-force (756 kN) | 13,410 horsepower (10,000 kW) | N/A | |
| China Railways HXD2B | China Railway | HXD2B0001-HXD2B0500 | Datong Electric Locomotive, Alstom | 2009– | Electric | Co'Co' | 150 tonnes (165 short tons) | 131,000 pounds-force (583 kN) starting; 125,000 pounds-force (556 kN) continuous | 12,874 horsepower (9,600 kW) | One of the most powerful single-frame locomotives currently in series production. | |
| China Railways HXD2C | China Railway | HXD2C0001- | Datong Electric Locomotive, Alstom | 2010– | Electric | Co'Co' | 150 tonnes (165 short tons) | 130,000 pounds-force (578 kN) starting; 90,000 pounds-force (400 kN) continuous | 9,655 horsepower (7,200 kW) | N/A | |
| China Railways HXD3 | China Railway | HXD30001-HXD30890, HXD38001-38150 | Toshiba, Dalian Locomotive | 2006–09 | Electric | Co'Co' | 150 tonnes (165 short tons) | 130,000 pounds-force (578 kN) | 9,655 horsepower (7,200 kW) | N/A | |
| China Railways HXD3B | China Railway | HXD3B0001-HXD3B0500 | Dalian, Bombardier | 2009– | Electric | Co'Co' | 150 tonnes (165 short tons) | 128,000 pounds-force (569 kN) starting; 114,000 pounds-force (507 kN) | 12,874 horsepower (9,600 kW) 1-hour rating | One of the most powerful single-frame locomotives currently in series production. | |
| China Railways HXD3C | China Railway | HXD3C0001- | Dalian, Bombardier | 2010– | Electric | Co'Co' | 150 tonnes (165 short tons) | 130,000 pounds-force (578 kN) starting; 83,000 pounds-force (369 kN) | 9,655 horsepower (7,200 kW) | N/A | |
| China Railways HXN3 | China Railway | HXN30001 - HXN30300 | Dalian Locomotive, Electro-Motive Diesel | 2008– | Diesel-Electric | Co'Co' | 150 tonnes (165 short tons) | 140,000 pounds-force (623 kN) starting;
134,000 pounds-force (596 kN) continuous |
6,300 horsepower (4,698 kW) | Most powerful diesel-electric locomotive in active production. | |
| China Railways HXN5 | China Railway | HXN50001 - HXN50300 | GE, CRRC Qishuyan | 2008– | Diesel-Electric | Co'Co' | 150 tonnes (165 short tons) | 140,000 pounds-force (623 kN) starting; 127,000 pounds-force (565 kN) continuous | 6,250 horsepower (4,661 kW) | Most powerful diesel-electric locomotive in active production. | |
| Class 461 | Železnice Srbije, Serbia | ŽS461-0/1, ŽS461-2 | Electroputere Craiova, Romania | 1965–91 | Electric | Co'Co' | 120 tonnes (132 short tons) | 88,125 pounds-force (392 kN) | 7,638 horsepower (5,696 kW) | Operational in Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Hungary & Macedonia. | |
| DB Class 101 | Deutsche Bahn | 101 001-145 | Adtranz | 1996–99 | Electric | Bo'Bo' | 83 tonnes (91 short tons) | 67,443 pounds-force (300 kN) | 8,583 horsepower (6,400 kW) continuous | Maximum speed 220 km/h (137 mph). | |
| DB Class 103 | Deutsche Bahn | 103 101-245 | AEG, Brown, Boveri & Cie, Henschel, Krauss-Maffei, Krupp, Siemens | 1970–73 | Electric | Co'Co' | 114 tonnes (126 short tons) | 70,140 pounds-force (312 kN) | 16,270 horsepower (12,133 kW) or 13,900 horsepower (10,365 kW) short term;
10,433 horsepower (7,780 kW) 1-hour rating; 9,977 horsepower (7,440 kW) continuous rating |
One of the most powerful electric locomotives ever built, it also is the most powerful single-frame locomotive ever built (currently its maximum short term power is limited to 12,000 horsepower (8,948 kW)); It has immense short term power with a tractive effort of 312 kN up to a speed of 140 km/h (87 mph). | |
| DB Class 151 | Deutsche Bahn | 151 001-170 | AEG, BBC, Henschel, Krauss-Maffei, Krupp, Siemens | 1972–78 | Electric | Co'Co' | 118 tonnes (130 short tons) | 88,800 pounds-force (395 kN) | 8,432 horsepower (6,288 kW) | Powerful freight locomotive in the 1970s with high continuous tractive effort. | |
| DSB EG | DB Schenker Rail | 3103-3113 | Siemens | 1999–2000 | Electric | Co'Co' | 132 tonnes (146 short tons) | 89,930 pounds-force (400 kN) | 8,717 horsepower (6,500 kW) continuous | One of the most powerful single-frame electric locomotives in operation in Europe. | |
|
EMD DDA40X | Union Pacific | 6900-6946 | Electro-Motive Diesel | 1969–71 | Diesel-electric | Do'Do' | 244 tonnes (269 short tons) | 113,940 pounds-force (507 kN) starting; 103,000 pounds-force (458 kN) continuous | 6,600 horsepower (4,922 kW) | One operational, 13 in various museums; largest operational single-unit diesel locomotive and the most powerful. |
| EMD SD70ACe-T4 | Union Pacific | 3000-3099 (Union Pacific) | Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) | 2015–present | Diesel-electric | Co'Co' | 218 tonnes (240 short tons) | 200,000 pounds-force (890 kN) starting
175,000 pounds-force (778 kN) continuous |
4,400 horsepower (3,281 kW) | N/A | |
|
EMD SD90MAC | Union Pacific | 8500-8561 | Electro-Motive Diesel | 1996–2002 | Diesel-electric | Co'Co' | 210 tonnes (231 short tons) | 200,000 pounds-force (890 kN) starting; 165,000 pounds-force (734 kN) continuous | 6,300 horsepower (4,698 kW) | Retired from service, some on lease with EMLX. |
|
Erie Railroad Class P-1 | Erie Railroad | 2603-2605, later 5014-5016 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 1914-1916 | Steam | 2-8-8-8-2 | 531 tonnes (585 short tons) | 176,256 pounds-force (784 kN) | N/A | Maximum speed approx. 10 mph. |
| EuroSprinter | Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | N/A | Krauss-Maffei, Siemens | 1996–2001 | Electric | Bo'Bo' | 86 tonnes (95 short tons) | 7,000 pounds-force (298 kN) | 9,790 horsepower (7,300 kW) short term;
8,583 horsepower (6,400 kW) continuous |
Maximum speed 230 km/h (143 mph); Taurus Rh 1216 050-5 holds the world speed record for conventional electric locomotives at 357 km/h (222 mph). | |
| Eurotunnel Class 9 | Getlink | 9000 | Euroshuttle Locomotive Consortium | 1993-2002 | Electric | Bo-Bo-Bo | 132 tonnes (146 short tons) | 90,000 pounds-force (400 kN) starting; 70,000 pounds-force (311 kN) continuous | 9,400 horsepower (7,010 kW) | Always used in pairs (one at each end of the train). Early versions were 7,500 horsepower (5,593 kW) but most have been rebuilt to 7 MW. | |
|
GE AC6000CW | Union Pacific; CSX; BHP | 600-699, 5000-5016, 6070-6077, 7500-7579 (being overhauled and renumbered 69xx) | General Electric | 1996–2001 | Diesel-electric | Co'Co' | 210 tonnes (231 short tons) | 188,000 pounds-force (836 kN) starting; 166,000 pounds-force (738 kN) continuous | 6,250 horsepower (4,661 kW) | Actual HP output on early production units is 4,350 hp due to use of the 7FDL engine. |
| GT1s | Russian Railways | N/A | Sinara transport machines | N/A | Gas turbine-electric | N/A | 360 tonnes (397 short tons) | 220,313 pounds-force (980 kN) | 11,130 horsepower (8,300 kW) | Currently the most powerful non-electric locomotive ever produced. | |
|
H220 | Victorian Railways | H class | Newport Workshops | 1941–1958 | Steam | 4-8-4 | 265 tonnes (292 short tons) | 55,060 pounds-force (245 kN) | 3,600 horsepower (2,685 kW) | The most powerful steam locomotive built in Australia at the time. Only one was constructed, preserved at the Australian Railway Historical Society Museum. |
| Indian locomotive class WAG-7 | Indian Railways | 27001-27999, 28000-28770, 24501-24700 | Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, India, BHEL, India | 1992 | Electric | Co'Co' | 132 tonnes (146 short tons) | 135,000 pounds-force (601 kN) | 8,200 horsepower (6,115 kW) | N/A | |
| Indian locomotive class WAG-9 | Indian Railways | Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Electric Locomotive Works, Bhusawal | 1996– | Electric | Co'Co' | 123 tonnes (136 short tons) | 100,000 pounds-force (445 kN); 73,000 pounds-force (325 kN) continuous | 6,600 horsepower (4,922 kW) | |||
| Indian locomotive class WAG-9H | Indian Railways | Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Electric Locomotive Works, Bhusawal | 2000– | Electric | Co'Co' | 132 tonnes (146 short tons) | 120,000 pounds-force (534 kN)
Continuous:73,000 pounds-force (325 kN) |
6,600 horsepower (4,922 kW) | |||
| Indian locomotive class WAG-9HH | Indian Railways | 90001+ | Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, India | 2019- | Electric | Co'Co' | 135 tonnes (149 short tons) | 9,000 horsepower (6,711 kW) | |||
| Indian locomotive class WAG-11 | Indian Railways | 29001+ | Banaras Locomotive Works Varanasi | 2018–Present | Electric | Co'Co' | 11,000 horsepower | ||||
| Indian locomotive class WAG-12 | Indian Railways | WAG12B60001+ onward | ELF Madhepura | 2018–present | Electric | Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo' | 180 tonnes (198 short tons; 177 long tons)
Up-gradable to 200 tonnes (220 short tons; 197 long tons) |
176,475 pounds-force (785 kN) starting | 12,000 horsepower (8,948 kW) | ||
| IORE | MTAB | IORE 101 - 126 | Bombardier | 2000–04 | Electric | Co'Co'+Co'Co' | 360 tonnes (397 short tons) | 314,732 pounds-force (1,400 kN) | 14,483 horsepower (10,800 kW)
continuous rating (for a pair) |
The most powerful double-frame locomotive in series production. It also has the largest tractive effort of any locomotive ever built. It is possible to operate individual halves, however it is not usually done. | |
|
Jawn Henry | Norfolk & Western | 2300 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 1954-58 | Steam turbine electric | C+C-C+C | 404 tonnes (445 short tons) | 175,000 pounds-force (778 kN) | 4,500 horsepower (3,356 kW) | Struck from the N&W roster on January 4, 1958. |
| JR Freight Class EF200 | JR Freight | N/A | Hitachi | 1990– | Electric | Bo'Bo'Bo' | 100.8 tonnes (111 short tons) | 59,000 pounds-force (262 kN) | 8,046 horsepower (6,000 kW) | Most powerful single-frame narrow-gauge locomotive in series production. | |
| Korail Class 8500 | Korail | 8501-8587 | Hyundai Rotem | 2012-2014 | Electric | Co'Co' | 132 tonnes (146 short tons) | 101,164 pounds-force (450 kN) | 9,600 horsepower (7,159 kW) (1-hour rating); 9,300 horsepower (6,935 kW) continuous | 73 feet (22 m) overall length. | |
|
Little Joe | Milwaukee Road | EF-4 and EP-4 | General Electric | 1950-80 | Electric | 2-D+D-2 | 247.5 tonnes (273 short tons) | 75,700 pounds-force (337 kN) | 5,110 horsepower (3,811 kW) | Maximum speed of 68 mph, used for freight and passenger. |
|
M1 | Chesapeake & Ohio Railway | 500-502 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 1947–50 | Steam turbine electric | 2-C1-2-C1-B (4-8-0-4-8-4) | 428 tonnes (472 short tons) | 98,000 pounds-force (436 kN) | 6,000 horsepower (4,474 kW) turbine; 4,960 horsepower (3,699 kW) generators | Nicknamed "Sacred Cows". Sold back to Baldwin in 1950 and scrapped. |
| Norfolk & Western Y Class | Norfolk & Western | N/A | Roanoke Shops | 1940s | Steam | 2-8-8-2 | 449 tonnes (495 short tons) | 166,000 pounds-force (738 kN) | 5,600 horsepower (4,176 kW) | Norfolk and Western 2156 is strongest-pulling steam locomotive still in existence. | |
|
PRR GG1 | Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, Conrail, Amtrak and NJ Transit | 4800-4938, 900-929 | Altoona Works, General Electric | 1934–43 | Electric | 2-C+C-2 (4-6-6-4) | 216.4 tonnes (239 short tons) | 65,500 pounds-force (291 kN) | 4,629 horsepower (3,452 kW) | Most scrapped; the prototype and 15 production locomotives have been preserved in museums. |
|
PRR Q2 | Pennsylvania Railroad | 6131, 6175-6199 | Altoona Works | 1941–45 | Steam | 4-4-6-4 | 456 tonnes (503 short tons) | 115,816 pounds-force (515 kN) with booster | 7,987 horsepower (5,956 kW) | Most powerful steam locomotive ever static tested. |
|
PRR S1 | Pennsylvania Railroad | 6100 | Altoona Works | 1939 | Steam | 6-4-4-6 | 87 tonnes (537 short tons) | 76,403 pounds-force (340 kN) | 7,200 horsepower (5,369 kW) | Fast passenger steam locomotive; the magazine Popular Mechanics cites 1941 a speed of 133.4 mph (214.7 km/h) |
|
PRR S2 | Pennsylvania Railroad | 6200 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 1944 | Steam turbine direct-drive | 6-8-6 | 470 tonnes (518 short tons) | 70,500 pounds-force (314 kN) | 6,900 horsepower (5,145 kW) | Most powerful steam turbine locomotive ever built. |
| Re 4/4 | BLS, Switzerland | Re 425 161-Re 425 195) | SLM / BBC | 1964-83 | Electric | Bo'Bo' | 80 tonnes (88 short tons) | 70,590 pounds-force (314 kN) | 6,678 horsepower (4,980 kW) continuous | In operation as of October 2012 | |
|
Re 465 | BLS, Switzerland | Re 465 001-465 0018 | SLM, ABB | 1994-97 | Electric | Bo'Bo' | 84 tonnes (93 short tons) | 71,940 pounds-force (320 kN) | 9,390 horsepower (7,002 kW) short term 8,410 horsepower (6,271 kW) continuous; | Similar locomotives with slightly different technical data are in operation with SBB (Re 460; 119 pc/NSB (El 18; 22 pc)/VR (Sr2; 46 pc)/KCRC (Hong Kong; 2 pc). |
| Re 6/6 | SBB, Switzerland | 11601-11689 | SLM, MFO/BBC/Sécheron | 1972, 1975–80 | Electric | Bo'Bo'Bo' | 120 tonnes (132 short tons) | 89,475 pounds-force (398 kN) | 10,460 horsepower (7,800 kW) 1-hour rating; 9,705 horsepower (7,237 kW) continuous | At the time of construction (1972) one of the world's most powerful locomotives. Currently in operation as of May 2022 with the revised classification of Re 620. | |
| Shen 24 | Shenhua Mining Group | CRRC Zhuzhou | 2020–present | Electric | 6xBo'Bo' | 512,564 pounds-force
(2,280 kN) |
28,800 kilowatts (38,621 hp) | Six-section modification of HXD1, 106 metres (348 ft) long overall. | |||
| Shenhua Mining Group HXD1 | Shenhua Mining Group | HXD1.7 | CRRC Zhuzhou | 2013 | Electric | 3xBo'Bo' | 276 tonnes (304 short tons; 272 long tons) | 256,282 pounds-force (1,140 kN) | 12,900 horsepower (9,620 kW) continuous rating | Heavy haul locomotive of China | |
| SJ Dm3 | SJ | N/A | ASEA | 1953–71 | Electric | 1'D+D+D1' | 273 tonnes (301 short tons) | 211,320 pounds-force
(970 kN) |
7,200 kilowatts (9,655 hp) | Highest continuous tractive effort when built, most powerful locomotive using jackshafts. | |
| Softronic Transmontana | Romanian Railways (CFR) and diverse private railways in Romania and Hungary | 480 (Romania) 610 (Hungary) | Softronic Craiova | 2010–present | Electric | Co'Co' | 20 tonnes (132 short tons) | 97,800 pounds-force (435 kN) | 8,851 horsepower (6,600 kW) 1-hour rating;
8,046 horsepower (6,000 kW) continuous |
Based on the ASEA 060-EA, but with asynchronous traction motors, IGBT and computerized control. | |
| Stadler Euro Dual | N/A | N/A | Stadler Rail | 2012 | Dual power electro-diesel locomotive | Co'Co' | 114 tonnes (126 short tons) - 126 tonnes (139 short tons) | 107,000 pounds-force (476 kN) | 9,387.15 horsepower (7,000 kW) | ||
|
Union Pacific 9000 class | Union Pacific | 9000-9087 | American Locomotive Company | 1926-1930 | Steam | 4-12-2 | 355 tonnes (391 short tons) | 97,664 pounds-force (434 kN) | 4,750 horsepower (3,542 kW) | N/A |
|
Union Pacific Coal GTELs | Union Pacific | 80 (later 8080) | Union Pacific Omaha Shops | 1961 | Diesel-electric + gas turbine-electric | A1A-A1A+2-D-D-2 | 661 tonnes (729 short tons) | N/A | 7,000 horsepower (5,220 kW) (2,000 hp Diesel + 5,000 hp turbine) | Home-built experimental coal-fired gas turbine. Assembled from ALCO PA-1 UP #607, GN W1 #5018, and the tender from Challenger #3990. 215 feet (66 m) overall length; 1,457,280 pounds (661,011 kg) total weight. Unsuccessful; set aside in 1964 and scrapped in 1968. |
| Virginian Railway EL-3A | Virginian Railway | 100-109 | ALCO + Westinghouse | 1925-1926 | Electric | 1-D-1+1-D-1+1-D-1 | 24 tonnes (688 short tons) | 277,500 pounds-force (1,234 kN) | 7,125 horsepower (5,313 kW) (1-hour rating); 6,000 horsepower (4,474 kW) continuous | 152.25 feet (46 m) overall length. | |
| VL85 | Russian Railways | 270 | Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant | 1983-94 | Electric | Bo'Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo'Bo' | 300 tonnes (331 short tons) | 209,522 pounds-force (932 kN) | 12,550 horsepower (9,359 kW) continuous; 13,437 horsepower (10,020 kW) short term | N/A | |
| Voith Maxima | N/A | N/A | Voith | 2006–14 | Diesel-hydraulic | Co'Co' | 136 tonnes (150 short tons) | 91,730 pounds-force (408 kN) | 5,000 horsepower (3,728 kW) continuous (Maxima 40CC) | Voith Maxima 40CC is the most powerful single-engine diesel-hydraulic locomotive ever built. | |
|
XA Triplex | Virginian Railway | 700 | Baldwin | 1916 | Steam | 2-8-8-8-4 | 532 tonnes (586 short tons) | 166,600 pounds-force (741 kN) compound | N/A | Rebuilt into separate locomotives; Maximum speed approx. 10 mph. |
|
Yellowstone | Northern Pacific, Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway and Baltimore & Ohio | 220-237 (DM&IR) | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 1928-1945 | Steam | 2-8-8-4 | 566 tonnes (624 short tons) | 140,093 pounds-force (623 kN) | 6,250 horsepower (4,661 kW) | Figures are for the DM&IR Yellowstones, the largest and generally the most well-known of their type. |
External links[]
- Steamlocomotive.com article regarding the largest steam locomotives archive at the Internet Archive Wayback Machine