SOUTHERN PACIFIC CLASS GS-3 4-8-4

In late 1936 the southern Pacific Railroad took delivery of six streamlined 4-8-4 locomotives to pull the new Daylight passenger trains between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Although built by Lima, the streamlined GS-2 class was similar in most respects to the conventional appearing GS-1 class, built by Baldwin in 1930. The GS-2 engines were very successful and as economic conditions improved in the late 1930's, the road ordered 14 more streamlined 4-8-4's from Lima. The 14 new engines were delivered in the fall of 1937 and in appearance were similar to the earlier GS-2 class. Numbered 4416-4429, the GS-3 class actually was an improved version of the earlier streamlined 4-8-4's. The GS-2 had 73" drivers and the GS-3's 80" for improved high speed capability. The boiler pressure was higher, the cylinders were larger and the firebox contained a longer combustion chamber. The result was a more powerful and faster passenger locomotive. Mechanically the GS-3 was just what the Southern Pacific was looking for, and all later Lima 4-8-4's were similar to this class. The later GS-4 and GS-5 classes differed in only minor respects, such as the use of a dual headlight and mars light casting on the front end.

The new GS-3 engines were used on the Daylight trains along the California coast and, in addition, pulled passenger trains from Oakland to Sacramento, Oakland to Los Angeles and from Los Angeles to El Paso. The 4-8-4's were capable of pulling just about any Southern Pacific train, although helpers were required on the Coast Line's Cuesta Grade near San Luis Obispo and on Tehachapi Pass between Bakersfield and Los Angeles. Generally 2-10-2's were used as helpers on the former grade, while over Tehachapi, Class MT
4-8-2's or articulateds were assigned.

In 1941 additional 4-8-4's were acquired. The new GS-4 and GS-5 engines bumped the older 4-8-4's off the Coast Daylight trains and allowed the transfer of GS-1 engines to Texas and Louisiana. The GS-3's could still be seen on the Coast Route, however, pulling secondary passenger trains, express and baggage runs and on troop movements to the many military bases and camps in California. Traffic continued to expand to such an extent that additional new 4-8-4's were purchased during the war. The 1943 GS-6 engines were primarily used on routes not suitable for the GS-3's, such as the route from Sacramento to Portland and Sacramento to Ogden, Utah.

After World War Two passenger traffic levels declined. That, and delivery of EMD and ALCO passenger diesels allowed the GS-3's to be used in freight service. In early 1950, the entire class was repainted in black. As dual service engines the class continued to be used all over the Western sections of the system, but were gradually concentrated in and around the San Francisco Bay area. Some were even returned to passenger service when they were assigned to commuter train duties between San Francisco and San Jose. The first
GS-3's were removed from service in 1955, and all of the rest were retired over the next three years. Several GS-3's were among the very last serviceable steam engines to remain on the Southern Pacific until regular steam service ended in 1958. Unfortunately, no GS-3 engine was preserved and all were cut up for scrap.

Perhaps not as well known as the more famous GS-4, the GS-3 was an interesting predecessor of that American steam classic. Key Imports is pleased to bring you this model of a Southern Pacific passenger workhorse, the GS-3 4-8-4.