Are there any 4-8-4's left operating anywhere?

Question

not for tourism but actually being used for work.

Answer 1

Perhaps in some third world country. I wouldn't think there would be one still working daily in the U.S. though. I personally think the "old school" locomotives are cool.

Answer 2

Thanks for mentioning the SP 4449, Mike.

When retired, the 4449 was donated to the city of Portland, Oregon.

The engine changed control as the Bi-Centennial approached in '76, when it was fully restored, operational.  Of course, it wasn't wearing the Daylight livery at that time.

Ownership is now by a private corporation.  I believe it is something like the Northwest Historical Society or Friends of the 4449 or something like it .  The top dog there is Mr. Doyle McCormick.  He also personally owns a beautifully restored F7 A-B set wearing GN livery, if I'm not mistaken.

I am probably one of the luckiest steam fans on the planet in as much as I have had the privilege of serving on the 4449 in 1985 and the UP 844, as well as the UP Challenger, 3985, in 1981.  As a side note, the 844 carried that number when in regular service.  But, it bore the number 8444 for a time, due to the fact that there was already an engine with the number 844 in service when this locomotive was rerstored operational.  It has since be renumbered to its original number.

In a sense, the answer to your question where this engine is concerned is, yes.  At times this engine, when being moved from one point to another for some sort of display or commemorative event, goes right on the point of a regular freight and pulls tonnage when getting to where its going.  I guesss the UP figures if it is going to be out there running around, it may as well generate some revenue.  

I served as a fireman pilot between Sparks, Nevada and Roseville, California, over "The Hill", on the UP locomotives as they were moved from their home terminal in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to the grand opening of the California State Rail Museum in Sacramento.

I piloted the engineer on the 4449, Mr. McCormick, between Klamath Falls, Oregon and Dunsmuir, California, when the 4449 was again running during the Olympics.  I actually got to sit behind the throttle of this engine that time around.  Truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Answer 3

I believe that China retired all of their QJ-Class 2-10-2s within the last few years and I think that they were the largest steamers left still in main line operation worldwide.

Of course, here in the states, steam has been gone for nearly 50 years in freight service although the two most famous Northerns (4-8-4s) still operating are Union Pacific #844 and Milwaukee Road #261.

Steam locomotives are certainly a sight to see, particularly main line steamers like the #261 and #844 operating at speed.

EDIT:  Thanks, Mike, completely forgot about Espee's famous Northern!  To add a bit more on the #4449 it is overseen by the Friends of SP 4449 and maintained with loving care by famed preservationist Doyle McCormick.

Answer 4

I just  wanted to say Alco83 forgot to mention sometimes former SP locomotive 4449 will run in excursion service. Unless I'm mistaken, the locomotive is owned by the city of Portland, Oregon.

Answer 5

Only place where this might be a possibility is China