Following World War II, diesel-electric and electric locomotives rapidly began to replace steam locomotives on railroads worldwide. The diesel engine offered greater efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and cleaner operation than steam, while electric locomotives were even more efficient for high-traffic routes. By the 1960s, steam locomotives had been largely retired from mainline service in most developed countries, ending the steam era on the rails.

The decline of the steam locomotive is a nostalgic theme in poetry and literature, representing the loss of a romanticized era. Poets have written elegies for the steam train, lamenting the passing of its unique sound, smell, and visual presence. This transition is often used as a metaphor for the broader changes in the 20th century, from a mechanical to a digital age.