List of most powerful locomotives


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.

Standard

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 even then sources differ on whether the measurement should include the tender of a steam locomotive. A steam locomotive that has a tender cannot function without it, but the tender does not contribute to traction. To establish the "largest" category, several factors take precedence: overall weight, which gives traction over driving axles; size ; and power, which may be in terms of raw horsepower, tractive effort, available power at axles or, in the case of steam locomotives, available steam on a sustained basis.

List

NameOriginal ownerFleet numbersManufacturerYear of manufacture Drive typeWheel arrangementWeightTractive effort/forcePowerNotesImage
2ЭС10 with 2ЭС10С unitRussian RailwaysUral Locomotives2014–presentElectric3×Bo'Bo' 1-hour ratingThree sections modification of 2ES10.
'Russian RailwaysNovocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant2014–presentElectric4×Bo'Bo' 1-hour ratingFour sections modification of E5K.
060-EARomanian Railways and numerous private railways in Romania and Hungary40 : 120 km/h, 41 : 160 km/h, 42: 200 km/hASEA, Electroputere Craiova 1965-91ElectricCo'Co'Powerful locomotive in the 1970s; high continuous tractive effort.
2-10-10-2Santa Fe and Virginian Railway3000-3009 800-809 Baldwin Locomotive Works
American Locomotive Company 		1911-1912, 1918Steam2-10-10-2 simple; compoundWeight and performance figures listed for the Virginian variant, as that locomotive was the heavier and more powerful of the two.
AA20Russian RailwaysVoroshilovgrad1934Steam4-14-4Largest non-articulated steam locomotive, and the only seven-axle non-articulated steam locomotive ever built.
AD60 classNew South Wales Government Railways6001-6042Beyer, Peacock & Company1952–1954, 1956Steam4-8-4+4-8-4Largest steam locomotive ever operated in Australia
Ae 6/6Swiss Federal Railways11401-11520SLM, MFO/BBC1952; 1955–66ElectricCo'Co' continuousStill in operation as of 2012
Ae 6/8BLS, Switzerland201-208SLM / Sécheron1939Electric 1-hour ratingTwo remain in working order as heritage locos
Ae 8/8BLS, Switzerland271-275SLM / BBC1959-66Electric+ starting; 1-hour rating 1-hour rating
One preserved in working order.
Ae 8/14Swiss Federal Railways11852SLM, MFO/BBC1939ElectricA1'A+A1'A 1-hour rating; continuousExhibit at Swiss Museum of Transport
H-8 AlleghenyChesapeake & Ohio Railway
Virginian Railway		1600-1659, 900-907 Lima Locomotive Works1941-48Steam2-6-6-6Two on static display
GTEL third generation Big BlowUnion Pacific1-30, 1B-30B General Electric1958-61Gas turbine-electricC-C+C-C; over 10,000 hp at lower altitude and ambient temperatures Two preserved in museums; Surpassed by.
4884-1 Big BoyUnion Pacific4000-4019ALCO1941Steam4-8-8-4Several on static display. No. 4014 in service with the UP Heritage Steam collection
4884-2 Big BoyUnion Pacific4020-4024ALCO1944Steam4-8-8-4No. 4023 on static display.
EQJ1China Railway北京6001Beijing Feb. 7th1969Diesel-hydraulicD'D' starting
continuous		;
in actual service		Most powerful diesel-hydraulic locomotive ever built.
ChallengerUnion Pacific3950-3999ALCO1936-43Steam4-6-6-4Two locomotives preserved, one on static display. Union Pacific 3985 operated for company PR and occasional excursion service from 1981 to 2010. Donated to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America in April 2022
China Railways DF8DJChina RailwayDF8DJ0001, later DF8B5672CSR Ziyang2006Diesel-electricCo'Co' starting
continuous		Most powerful single-engine diesel locomotive ever built.
China Railways HXD1China RailwayHXD10001 - HXD10220CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive, Siemens2006-08ElectricBo'Bo'+Bo'Bo' starting continuous
China Railways HXD1BChina RailwayHXD1B0001-HXD1B0500CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive, Siemens2009-ElectricCo'Co'One of the most powerful single-frame locomotives currently in series production.
China Railways HXD1CChina RailwayHXD1C0001-HXD1C0990CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive, Siemens2009-ElectricCo'Co' starting
China Railways HXD2China RailwayHXD20001-
HXD20180		Datong Electric Locomotive, Alstom2006-08ElectricBo'Bo'+Bo'Bo' starting continuous
China Railways HXD2BChina RailwayHXD2B0001-HXD2B0500Datong Electric Locomotive, Alstom2009-ElectricCo'Co' starting;
continuous
One of the most powerful single-frame locomotives currently in series production.
China Railways HXD2CChina RailwayHXD2C0001-Datong Electric Locomotive, Alstom2010-ElectricCo'Co' starting;
continuous
China Railways HXD3China RailwayHXD30001-HXD30890, HXD38001-38150Toshiba, Dalian Locomotive2006-09ElectricCo'Co'
China Railways HXD3BChina RailwayHXD3B0001-HXD3B0500Dalian, Bombardier2009-ElectricCo'Co' starting; 1-hour ratingOne of the most powerful single-frame locomotives currently in series production.
China Railways HXD3CChina RailwayHXD3C0001-Dalian, Bombardier2010-ElectricCo'Co' starting;
continuous
China Railways HXN3China RailwayHXN30001 - HXN30300Dalian Locomotive, Electro-Motive Diesel2008-Diesel-ElectricCo'Co' starting;
continuous		Most powerful diesel-electric locomotive in active production.
China Railways HXN5China RailwayHXN50001 - HXN50300GE, CRRC Qishuyan2008-Diesel-ElectricCo'Co' starting; continuousMost powerful diesel-electric locomotive in active production.
Class 461Železnice Srbije, SerbiaŽS461-0/1, ŽS461-2Electroputere Craiova, Romania1965–91ElectricCo'Co'Operational in Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Hungary & Macedonia.
DB Class 101Deutsche Bahn101 001-145Adtranz1996-99ElectricBo'Bo' continuousMaximum speed 220 km/h.
DB Class 103Deutsche Bahn103 101-245AEG, Brown, Boveri & Cie, Henschel, Krauss-Maffei, Krupp, Siemens1970-73ElectricCo'Co' or short term;
1-hour rating;
continuous rating		One of the most powerful electric locomotives ever built, it also is the most powerful single-frame locomotive ever built.
DB Class 151Deutsche Bahn151 001-170AEG, BBC, Henschel, Krauss-Maffei, Krupp, Siemens1972-78ElectricCo'Co'Powerful freight locomotive in the 1970s with high continuous tractive effort.
DSB EGDB Schenker Rail3103-3113Siemens1999-2000ElectricCo'Co' continuousOne of the most powerful single-frame electric locomotives in operation in Europe; surpassed by.
EMD DDA40XUnion Pacific6900-6946Electro-Motive Diesel1969-71Diesel-electricDo'Do' starting; continuousOne operational, 13 in various museums; largest operational single-unit diesel locomotive and the most powerful.
EMD SD70ACe-T4Union Pacific
BNSF
CSX		3000-3099 Electro-Motive Diesel 2015–presentDiesel-electricCo'Co' starting
continuous
EMD SD90MACUnion Pacific8500-8561Electro-Motive Diesel1996-2002Diesel-electricCo'Co' starting; continuousRetired from service, some on lease with EMLX.
Erie Class P-1Erie Railroad2603-2605, later 5014-5016Baldwin Locomotive Works1914-1916Steam2-8-8-8-2Maximum speed approx. 10 mph.
EuroSprinterDeutsche Bahn, ÖBBKrauss-Maffei, Siemens1996-PresentElectricBo'Bo' short term;
continuous		Maximum speed 230 km/h ; Taurus Rh 1216 050-5 holds the world speed record for conventional electric locomotives at 357 km/h.
Eurotunnel Class 9Getlink9000Euroshuttle Locomotive Consortium1993-2002ElectricBo-Bo-Bo starting;
continuous		Always used in pairs. Early versions were but most have been rebuilt to 7 MW.
GE AC6000CWUnion Pacific; CSX; BHP600–699, 5000–5016, 6070–6077, 7500-7579 General Electric1996-2001Diesel-electricCo'Co' starting; continuousActual HP output on early production units is 4,350 hp due to use of the 7FDL engine.
Russian RailwaysSinara transport machinesGas turbine-electricCurrently the most powerful non-electric locomotive ever produced.
H220Victorian RailwaysH classNewport Workshops1941–1958Steam4-8-4The 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-7Indian Railways27001–27999, 28000–28770, 24501-24700Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, India, BHEL, India1992ElectricCo'Co'The WAG-7 is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways currently serving both freight and passenger trains for over 31 years
Indian locomotive class WAG-9Indian RailwaysChittaranjan Locomotive Works, Electric Locomotive Works, Bhusawal1996–ElectricCo'Co'; continuousWAG-9 has quickly become one of the important locos in the Indian railways.
Indian locomotive class WAG-9HIndian RailwaysChittaranjan Locomotive Works, Electric Locomotive Works, Bhusawal2000–ElectricCo'Co'
Continuous:		The WAG-9 locomotive is referred to as the "Heavy Haul" freight locomotive of the Indian Railways
Indian locomotive class WAG-9HHIndian Railways90001+Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, India2019-ElectricCo'Co'A passenger variant of the WAG-9 was developed namely the WAP-7 locomotive by modifying the gear ratio to pull lighter loads at higher speeds.
Indian locomotive class WAG-11Indian Railways29001+Banaras Locomotive Works Varanasi2018–PresentElectricCo'Co'+Co'Co'India's Indigenously developed 12000hp electric loco.
Indian locomotive class WAG-12Indian RailwaysWAG12B60001+ onwardELF Madhepura2018–presentElectricBo'Bo'+Bo'Bo'
Up-gradable to 		starting
IOREMTABIORE 101 - 126Bombardier2000-04ElectricCo'Co'+Co'Co'
continuous rating 		The most powerful double-frame locomotive in series production. It is possible to operate individual halves, however it is not usually done.
Jawn HenryNorfolk & Western2300Baldwin Locomotive Works1954-58Steam turbine electricC+C-C+CStruck from the N&W roster on January 4, 1958.
JR Freight Class EF200JR FreightHitachi1990-ElectricBo'Bo'Bo'Most powerful single-frame narrow-gauge locomotive in series production.
Korail Class 8500Korail8501-8587Hyundai Rotem2012-2014ElectricCo'Co'
Leone Rock DF8BJLeone Rock Metal GroupLRMG-001 to 010CRRC Ziyang2024Diesel-electricCo'Co'Most powerful narrow-gauge diesel locomotive in single frame
Little JoeMilwaukee RoadEF-4 and EP-4General Electric1950-80Electric2-D+D-2Maximum speed of 68 mph, used for freight and passenger.
M-1Chesapeake and Ohio Railway500-502Baldwin Locomotive Works1947-50Steam turbine electric2-C1-2-C1-B turbine; generatorsNicknamed "Sacred Cows". Sold back to Baldwin in 1950 and scrapped.
Class M-137Western Pacific Railroad251-260Baldwin Locomotive Works1931, 1938Steam2-8-8-2Largest steam locomotives owned by Western Pacific.
MPXpress MP54ACGO Transit667-682MotivePower Industries2017-2018Diesel-electricBo'Bo' starting; continuous traction; gross
Highest power diesel passenger locomotive in North America
Norfolk & WesternRoanoke Shops1940sSteam2-8-8-2Norfolk and Western 2156 is strongest-pulling steam locomotive still in existence.
PRR GG1Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, Conrail, Amtrak and NJ Transit4800–4938, 900-929Altoona Works, General Electric1934–43Electric2-C+C-2 Most scrapped; the prototype and 15 production locomotives have been preserved in museums.
PRR Q2Pennsylvania Railroad6131, 6175-6199Altoona Works1941-45Steam4-4-6-4 with boosterMost powerful steam locomotive ever static tested.
PRR S1Pennsylvania Railroad6100Altoona Works1939Steam6-4-4-6Fast passenger steam locomotive; the magazine Popular Mechanics cites 1941 a speed of 133.4 mph SLM / BBC1964-83ElectricBo'Bo' 1-hour rating
In operation as of 2012
Re 465BLS, SwitzerlandRe 465 001-465 0018SLM, ABB1994-97ElectricBo'Bo' short term continuous;Similar locomotives with slightly different technical data are in operation with SBB /VR /KCRC.
Re 6/6SBB, Switzerland11601-11689SLM, MFO/BBC/Sécheron1972, 1975–80ElectricBo'Bo'Bo' 1-hour rating
continuous
At the time of construction one of the world's most powerful locomotives. Currently in operation as of 2022 with the revised classification of Re 620.
Shen 12Shenhua Mining GroupHXD1.7CRRC ZhuzhouElectric3×Bo'Bo' starting continuous ratingThree-section modification of the HXD1.
Shen 24Shenhua Mining GroupCRRC Zhuzhou2020–presentElectric6×Bo'Bo'Six-section modification of HXD1, long overall.
SJ Dm3SJASEA1953-71Electric1'D+D+D1'Highest continuous tractive effort when built, most powerful locomotive using jackshafts.
Softronic TransmontanaRomanian Railways and diverse private railways in Romania and Hungary480 610 Softronic Craiova2010–presentElectricCo'Co' 1-hour rating;
continuous		Based on the ASEA 060-EA, but with asynchronous traction motors, IGBT and computerized control.
Stadler Euro DualN/AN/AStadler Rail2012Dual power electro-diesel locomotiveCo'Co' -
'2019 302–Stadler Rail2020–Dual power electro-diesel locomotiveCo'Co' AC mode
Most powerful single-frame locomotive in Europe.
British Rail Class 99GB Railfreight99001–99030Stadler Rail2025–Dual power electro-diesel locomotiveCo'Co' electric mode,
diesel mode		Based on the Stadler Euro Dual platform. Replacement for the British Rail Class 66.
Union Pacific 9000 classUnion Pacific9000-9087American Locomotive Company1926-1930Steam4-12-2
Union Pacific Coal GTELsUnion Pacific80 Union Pacific Omaha Shops1961Diesel-electric + gas turbine-electricA1A-A1A+2-D-D-2 Home-built experimental coal-fired gas turbine. Assembled from ALCO PA-1 UP #607, GN W1 #5018, and the tender from Challenger #3990. overall length; total weight. Unsuccessful; set aside in 1964 and scrapped in 1968.
Virginian Railway EL-3AVirginian Railway100-109ALCO + Westinghouse1925-1926Electric1-D-1+1-D-1+1-D-1 ; continuous overall length.
ВЛ85Russian Railways270Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant1983-94ElectricBo'Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo'Bo' continuous; short term
Voith MaximaVoith2006-14Diesel-hydraulicCo'Co' engine
Voith Maxima 40CC is the most powerful single-engine diesel-hydraulic locomotive ever built.
XA TriplexVirginian Railway700Baldwin1916Steam2-8-8-8-4 compoundRebuilt into separate locomotives; Maximum speed approx. 10 mph.
YellowstoneNorthern Pacific, Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway and Baltimore & Ohio220-237 Baldwin Locomotive Works1928-1945Steam2-8-8-4Figures are for the DM&IR Yellowstones, the largest and generally the most well-known of their type.