The Southern Pacific GS-4 is a class of streamlined 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive operated by the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP) from 1941 to 1958. A total of twenty-eight were built by the Lima Locomotive Works, numbered 4430 through 4457. GS stands for "Golden State" or "General Service."

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2022)

Southern Pacific GS-4
Southern Pacific 4449, the youngest (and sole-remaining) GS-4 locomotive, under steam in Tacoma, Washington in June 2011
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Lima Locomotive Works Serial number 7798–7817, 7848–7855 Build date April–May 1941 (20), March–April 1942 (8) Total produced 28
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-4  • UIC 2′D2′ h2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 80 in (2,032 mm) Wheelbase 88.23 ft (26.89 m) Axle load 69,000 lb (31,000 kg; 31 t) Adhesive weight 275,700 lb (125,100 kg; 125.1 t) Loco weight 475,000 lb (215,000 kg; 215 t) Total weight 870,600 lb (394,900 kg; 394.9 t) Fuel type Oil Fuel capacity 5,880 US gal (22,300 l; 4,900 imp gal) Water cap. 23,500 US gal (89,000 l; 19,600 imp gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 90.4 sq ft (8.40 m2) Boiler pressure 300 psi (2.07 MPa) Heating surface 4,887 sq ft (454.0 m2)  • Firebox 385 sq ft (35.8 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 2,086 sq ft (193.8 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 25+1⁄2 in × 32 in (648 mm × 813 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts Valve type Piston
Performance figures Maximum speed 110 mph (180 km/h) Tractive effort 66,326 lbf (295.03 kN), 78,000 lbf (346.96 kN) with booster
Career Operators Southern Pacific Class GS-4 Numbers 4430–4457 First run April 1941 Retired October 1958 Preserved No. 4449 operational in excursion service Restored April 21, 1975 Current owner The City of Portland, Oregon Disposition No. 4449 preserved, remainder scrapped

History

Unlike the GS-3, the GS-4 had a dual-headlight casing (the top headlight was a mars light) on the silver smokebox. Another change was the all-weather cab. It retained the skyline casing atop the boiler, skirting on the sides, an air horn to supplement the whistle, and teardrop classification lights. They carried the orange and red "Daylight" paint scheme.

The GS-4s were passenger engines capable of 110 mph (180 km/h), though timetable speed limit never exceeded 75 mph (121 km/h) (the maximum speed allowed in the Salinas Valley). Southern Pacific's premier passenger trains were pulled by GS-4s: the Coast Daylight, San Joaquin Daylight, Lark, Cascade, Golden State, and the Sunset Limited. During wartime and in the first years after the war, some of the GS-4 locomotives were painted black; by 1948 all had been repainted Daylight colors. Between 1947 and 1956 most were painted black again, had their side skirts removed for easier maintenance, and were reassigned to the San Jose-San Francisco Peninsula Commute service, freight service, and the occasional San Joaquin Daylight (steam locomotives remained on that train as late as 1956, which made it the last streamliner train to be pulled by steam on the Southern Pacific) until the were replaced by diesel locomotives. GS-4 No. 4443 pulled one of the final steam excursions on the Southern Pacific in 1957. A GS-4 pulled its last passenger train in October 1958, and they were all retired by the end of the year.

The tender of No. 4444 (the last GS-4 to be scrapped) was rebuilt by SP and used as a "hammer car" to test impacts on hydracushion boxcars; it was scrapped in the early 1970s.

Preservation

Southern Pacific 4449 is the only surviving GS-4 locomotive and is one of the most recognizable locomotives of all time. It was donated to the City of Portland in 1958 and moved to Oaks Amusement Park for static display until December 1974 when the locomotive was removed from the park to undergo restoration. From August 1975 to December 1976, No. 4449 shared duties with several other steam locomotives pulling the American Freedom Train throughout the U.S. No. 4449 is still operational and since mid-2012 resides at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland along with other preserved locomotives and rolling stock.

In Film

No. 4449 appeared in the 1990 drama Come See the Paradise.

No. 4449 was featured in the 1986 Burt Lancaster-Kirk Douglas action comedy Tough Guys as the Gold Coast Flyer. In the film, No. 4449 is hijacked and run off the end of the track across the Mexican border. A full-size wooden replica of the locomotive was used to shoot the crash scene.

An unknown GS-4 appeared in the 1964 movie Dear Heart as the 20th Century Limited.

GS-4 No. 4443 appeared in the opening credits of the 1957 Frank Sinatra film Pal Joey.

Another GS-4 appeared as the main setting for the 1951 Alfred Hitchcock thriller Strangers on a Train.

References

• Church, Robert J. (2004). Southern Pacific Daylight Locomotives (1st ed.). Signature Press. ISBN 1-930013-11-6.
• Diebert, Timothy S. & Strapac, Joseph A. (1987). Southern Pacific Company Steam Locomotive Compendium. 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.

External links

• Friends of SP 4449
• The Southern Pacific (i.e. "Espee") Golden State Locomotives Classes GS-1 to GS-6
• The Southern Pacific Technical and Historical Society
• The Museum of America's Freedom Trains
• Southern Pacific Coast Daylight Engines

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