Southern Pacific class GS-4

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**SP GS-4**
Power type	Steam
SP4449 standing idle under steam, waiting to start Christmas excursion, December 13, 2005.
Builder	Lima Locomotive Works
Serial number	7798 – 7817, 7848 – 7855
Build date	April-May 1941, March-April 1942
Configuration	4-8-4
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)
Driver size	80 inch diameter
Weight on drivers	275,700 lb
Total weight	475,000 lb
Boiler pressure	300 psi
Cylinder size	25½ in dia × 32 in stroke
Career	Southern Pacific Railroad
Class	GS-4
Number in class	28
Number	4430 – 4457
First run	April 1941
Retired	1958
Disposition	all but one scrapped, 4449 restored

The GS-4 is a streamlined 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive that served the Southern Pacific Railroad from 1941 to 1958. They were built by the Lima Locomotive Works and were numbered 4430 through 4457. GS stands for "Golden State" or "General Service."

The GS-4 had a slightly different appearance than that of the GS-3, most drasticaly the dual-headlight casing (top headlight was a mars light) on the silver smokebox. Another change in appearance was the cab, which was changed to a fully-enclosed, all-weather cab, a feature not commonly found on steam engines. It retaned the skyline casing on the top of the boiler, skirting on the sides, an air horn, teardrop classification lights, and whistles. They received the orange and red "Daylight" paint scheme.

The GS-4s were designed for high-speed passenger service and were used on Southern Pacific's premier passenger trains, the Coast Daylight, San Joaquin Daylight and Sunset Limited, as well as many other Southern Pacific name trains. In later years they were painted black and had their side skirting removed for easier maintenance, and were re-assigned to the San Jose-San Francisco commute trains, freight service, and the occasional San Joaquin Daylight until new diesels arrived and they were retired.

GS-4 number 4443 pulled one of the final movements of steam on the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1957.

[edit] Preservation

One GS-4 survives today, Southern Pacific 4449, arguably the most popular and most photographed locomotive of all time. 4449 was donated to Oaks Park in Portland, Oregon, in 1958. In December 1974, 4449 was moved from Oaks Park to undergo restoration. From August 1975 to December 1976, 4449 shared duties with several other steam locomotives pulling the American Freedom Train throughout the U.S. 4449 is still operational and currently resides at the Brooklyn Roundhouse in Portland along with many other preserved locomotives and rolling stock.

[edit] References

Diebert, Timothy S. and Strapac, Joseph A. (1987). Southern Pacific Company Steam Locomotive Conpendium. Shade Tree Books. ISBN 0-930742-12-5.

The American Freedom Train Foundation (1975). The American Freedom Train Official Commemorative Program 1975 / 1976. The American Freedom Train Foundation.