Soo Line Steam Locomotives

While Decapod 950 may once have been the world's largest steam locomotive, the 5000-series Northerns (4-8-4s) were the largest to ever operate on the Soo Line. They were so large, in fact, that they were restricted to the Chicago-Twin Cities line, as they couldn't be turned elsewhere on the short turntables. These were powerful machines, designed for moving heavy, fast freight between the two principal terminals. The 5001, seen here, is only three years old in this 1941 shot, but is no doubt soon to be headed back to Chicago with a full train.