On this day, March 27, 1960, the last scheduled steam-powered passenger train in the United States ran.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

I have reason to believe this is an amateur video.

Grand Trunk - last steam powered passenger run, March 27, 1960

John3inDC
15 subscribers

4,969 views Sep 6, 2011
Grand Trunk & Western Railway was the last rail line in the United States to run regularly-scheduled steam-powered passenger trains, ending on March 27, 1960. Here we have that last steam train coming through Birmingham, Michigan. (Apologies for the thumb - blame my father!)

Grand Trunk Western Railroad

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Locomotives

Steam

Grand Trunk Western was one of the last U.S. railroads to employ steam locomotives. It ran the last scheduled steam passenger train in the United States on March 27, 1960, on its train #21 from Detroit's Brush Street Station north to Durand Union Station. The run drew thousands of rail enthusiasts. With 3,600 passengers holding tickets, train #21 had to be run in two sections (as two separate trains) to accommodate the excess of passengers. GTW U-3-b class 4-8-4 Northern-type locomotive 6319 led the first section of train #21 with 15 passenger cars, and GTW 4-8-4 Northern 6322 pulled the second section with 22 passenger cars. Steam was used on some freight trains until 1961.

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Thu Mar 27, 2025: On this day, March 27, 1960, the last scheduled steam-powered passenger train in the United States ran.

Wed Mar 27, 2024: On this day, March 27, 1960, the last scheduled steam-powered passenger train in the United States ran.

Tue Mar 28, 2017: Grand Trunk - last steam powered passenger run, March 27, 1960

[vanlassie]

1. I got to see one in 1981

The Southern Pacific 4449 steam locomotive passed through San Luis Obispo on May 13, 1981, en route to Railfair ’81 in Sacramento.

My husband was a student at Cal Poly. We lived beside the Southern Pacific train tracks. Early in the morning, it was misty and chilly as we silently gathered to a good viewing spot. The sound of the whistle, and then the sight of the huge engine as it came around a bend took our breath away. And then, it was gone. A great memory.