Southern Pacific class GS-5

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**SP GS-5**
Power type	Steam
Builder	Lima Locomotive Works
Serial number	7856, 7857
Build date	May-June 1942
Configuration	4-8-4
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)
Driver size	80 inch diameter
Weight on drivers	278,700 lb
Total weight	483,200 lb
Boiler pressure	300 psi
Cylinder size	25½ in dia × 32 in stroke
Tractive effort	64,800 lbf, 78,000 lbf with booster
Career	Southern Pacific Railroad
Class	GS-5
Number in class	2
Number	4458, 4459
First run	June 1942
Retired	1958
Disposition	scrapped

The GS-5 is a streamlined 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive that served the Southern Pacific Railroad from 1942 to 1958. Only two locomotives were built by the Lima Locomotive Works and were numbered 4458 and 4459. GS stands for "Golden State" or "General Service."

The GS-5s are exactly identical in appearance to the GS-4s. They only difference was that they were equipped with roller bearings, which gave the locomotive a much smoother ride and added extra weight. They featured a silver smokebox with a dual-headlight casing (top headlight was a mars light), and a fully-enclosed, all-weather cab. It retained 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-5's were designed for high-speed passenger service on Southern Pacific's premier passenger trains, the Coast Daylight, San Joaquin Daylight and Sunset Limited. In later years they were painted black and had their side skirting removed for easier maintenance. The GS-5s were considered the best when it came to the GS series, and ended their careers on Southern Pacific's San Joaquin Valley line.

Neither of the two GS-5 locomotives survive.