The statistic illustrates the number of locomotives in service in North America from 2009 to 2020. In 2020, the North American rail industry had around 38,453 locomotives in its fleet, a decrease from 39,125 in the previous year.
How many steam locomotives still operate?
According to a Trains magazine survey, about 153 steam locomotives operate in the U.S. in a public venue at least one day each year. These locomotives are at least 2-foot gauge, have a history, or are a replica of historical significance.
How many locomotives exist?
How many train locomotives are in the US?
Following a period of consistent growth, the locomotive fleet of U.S. class I railroad operators fell slightly to 26,546 locomotives in 2017, from 26,719 locomotives in the previous year, only to increase again to 26,086 in 2018. As of 2020, this volume dropped to 23,544, a year-over-year drop of some 4.3 percent.
Do locomotives still exist?
Railfan & Railroad stated in 2022 that "the only places on earth to see steam locomotives in revenue freight service are small switching operations in China, North Korea and Bosnia," but that these were "sporadic at best." Tourist locomotives are still in regular use.