When did people stop using steam?

1960 is normally considered the final year of regular Class 1 main line standard gauge steam operation in the United States, with operations on the Grand Trunk Western, Illinois Central, Norfolk and Western, and Duluth Missabe and Iron Range Railroads, as well as Canadian Pacific operations in Maine.



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Diesel and electric locomotives started slowly replacing steam in 1950s. The last broad gauge (5' 6) steam locomotive built by CLW was a WG class locomotive named Antim Sitara (The last star), #10560, built in June 1970. The last meter gauge steam locomotive was a YG class built in 1972.

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Before the development of the first commercial steam engine, factories relied on horses, water, and wind as their primary source of power. Most factories were either situated near riversides or around areas with high wind intensity.

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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.

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